Two West Cumbrians are looking forward to representing Ireland in a forthcoming Masters Rugby League international tournament.
John Gaston, 47, and Simon Pattinson, 48, qualify through grandparents and have been selected after taking part in squad training sessions in Belfast.
They will represent Ireland – a mixture of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – at Cardiff’s Arms Park in July when they play matches against Wales and Scotland.
It will be a return to Cardiff for John who picked up his first cap for Ireland at the Arm’s Park, scoring with his first touch last year.
Simon will be making his debut this time round and says he and his family are looking forward to the occasion.
John, raised in Great Clifton and now living in Harrington, learnt his rugby with the Clifton Lions and, still playing centre, represents Arlecdon Rams on the Masters circuit.
He said: “I think it’s great for lads when they’ve finished playing the community game as they get older.
“Representating Masters at international level is something to aim for and with the game getting more and more players there will be further opportunities for those who want to go further.
“We actually have a number of international players locally for the various home countries.”
John qualified for Ireland through his maternal grandfather Billy Craig who was from Larne.
Simon’s grandparents were also on his mother’s side (McBride) and hailed from Belfast before moving to Distington.
A hooker/half-back, Simon is from Maryport and as a youngster played for Workington Town’s former Academy side with his club rugby at Maryport, Ellenborough and Broughton Red Rose.
He said: “I played most for Maryport and then moved into coaching, both open age and youth.
“I started playing Masters for Maryport in 2025 and I’m just looking forward to representing Ireland. I have been over to Belfast for training and there was a 40-strong squad, from which I was lucky enough to be picked for the games in Wales in July.”
Ireland are also due to play Wales in Belfast on October 10 and France in Paris on October 24 but those teams will be selected after the July internationals.
