Ireland captain Liam Finn announces retirement from international rugby league

Ireland captain Liam Finn has retired from international rugby league with immediate effect.

The soon-to-be Newcastle Thunder player played his last game for Ireland in their defeat to Wales at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground in the European Championship on Sunday.

Wales become the tenth team to qualify for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, while Ireland and Scotland must join a repechage next autumn against teams from Euro B and Euro C.

Finn, 35, will not be part of Ireland’s campaign next year after telling coach Stuart Littler before kick-off that he would be playing his last ever international match.

Littler, who is also the head coach of Swinton Lions, hopes that full-back Scott Grix will continue to play on the international stage.

“Grix is more of a maybe, Grix is pretty much finishing today,” explained Littler.

“Liam’s represented Ireland at three World Cups. I can only commend those two boys on their sacrifices. They’ve probably fought a few Super League coaches in their time to come and play.

“I’ve played in two World Cups with them myself so I know that they bring and what they’ve brought to Ireland rugby league. If they do both decide to call it a day, they have our thanks.”

Finn has earned 28 caps for the Wolfhounds since making his international bow in 2007, while Grix has played 14 times.