BRAD Singleton is hoping a back problem will not scupper his Rugby League World Cup hopes after being named in the Ireland squad for this year’s tournament.

The Barrow-born prop’s place in Mark Aston’s squad was confirmed just hours before he helped Leeds Rhinos to a 24-6 victory over Castleford Tigers in Saturday’s Super League Grand final.

The 24-year-old is aiming to cap a successful year on a club and personal level by making a mark on the international stage, but he admitted after the Grand Final he has been hampered in recent weeks.

“I’ll see how my back is,” said Singleton. “I’ve been managing it for the past six weeks, so I’ll see how it is first.

“But I’m looking forward to putting myself forward for the Ireland squad and looking forward to a good World Cup.”

Singleton, who qualifies for Ireland by virtue of his mother being born in Northern Ireland, is joined in the squad by Leeds team-mate Anthony Mullally.

The team fly out to Australia this Friday to give themselves a fortnight of acclimatisation ahead of their opening match of the tournament, an inter-group game against Italy in Cairns on October 29.

Ireland then head to Port Moresby to take on World Cup co-hosts Papua New Guinea in Group C on November 5, followed by their final pool match against Wales in Perth on November 12.

The latter of those games could see Singleton up against another of Super League’s Barrovians and a fellow Barrow Island product in the form of Morgan Knowles, who will find out this morning if he has made the cut for the Welsh squad.

St Helens loose forward Knowles was named in Wales’ 38-man train-on squad for the World Cup in July, and head coach John Kear will reveal the final 24 to travel Down Under at 9am.

Meanwhile, Brett Carter is hoping he will be part of the Scotland squad for the second tournament in a row when the Bravehearts confirm their team later today as well. The Barrow Raiders winger is optimistic of earning a place in the side coached by former Raiders boss Steve McCormack.

“It’s always a massive honour for me to play to Scotland,” said Carter after being named in the provisional squad in August. “I’ve only played six times for them, but I’ve always been included for the past few years.”