George King hoping to play in second World Cup for Ireland

Hull KR prop George King says he is hoping to represent Ireland in his second World Cup this autumn.

The 27-year-old has won 10 caps for Ireland since making his international debut in 2016.

King was born and raised in West Yorkshire, England but qualifies to play for Ireland through his mother’s side of the family.

When asked if he wants to play in this year’s World Cup, King replied: “I’ll playing for Ireland, for sure.

“Like every nation, we are going there to shake things up and we want to hit the ground running.

“We’ve got a good group of core Irishmen who are really wanting to bite the bullet and we can’t wait to get into camp.

“I don’t really want to speak too much on the World Cup just yet with my focus being on Hull KR, but I am looking forward to it I’m not going to lie.”

King was part of the impressive Ireland squad that won two out of their three games at the World Cup in 2017, which was hosted in the southern hemisphere.

George King backs new Ireland coach to succeed

Ireland have appointed Ged Corcoran as their new men’s head coach, after parting company with Stuart Littler.

The 39-year-old becomes the first Irish-born head coach of the Ireland national side, having been born and bred in Co Offaly.

Corcoran won 11 caps during his playing days, featuring at the 2008 World Cup.

King says he couldn’t have thought of a better person than Corcoran to lead the Wolfhounds into the World Cup.

He said: “Me and Ged keep in good contact. It is obviously sad news with Stu leaving, it is never nice seeing a coach having to leave.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Stu. Obviously it hadn’t worked out because of Covid and stuff like that which was a shame because we were building something under Stu. It is just a shame because it couldn’t have happened at a worse time for him.

“But saying that, it is also good news for Ged because he is able to step up into the role.

“Ged has been Ireland through and through now for years. He has literally done everything from water carrying to doing all the managing behind the scenes as well as his coaching role.

“Ged has literally had to do everything. I couldn’t think of a better person to take us into the World Cup.”

PLAY: Our free Fantasy Rugby League competition is back for 2022