A Dual Nationality Rep. of Ireland x England XI

Ahead of Republic of Ireland v England, we have a Dual Nationality Squad of both Republic of Ireland Internationals and those representing England with Irish ties.

The Republic of Ireland is a small country in terms of size and population density, but our diaspora pool is wide with over 70 million globally claiming Irish heritage. As a result, it’s no surprise that we’ve always used the ‘Granny Rule’ to great effect, a rule and form of recruitment for the national team which was popularised by Jack Charlton from 1986-1996. Charlton, to great success, aggressively pursued Irish eligible players to build the strongest side possible.

Nationality is complex though and now very much a two-way street, I’ve no idea what it feels like to be born abroad to Irish parents or to be born in Ireland to parents from another country so the Irish “diaspora” pool is complex and it’s no surprise to see it hugely influence the England National Team today at both senior and underage levels.

In this post, we combine both available Republic of Ireland players and previously eligible players who have/do represent England to see how good of a squad we can put together!

*Republic of Ireland players from the U21 squad were not considered for selection due to their qualifying campaign.

Ireland x England Squad

Goalkeepers

From Kelly and Bonner to Given and Randolph previously, the Republic of Ireland have never failed in producing top-class net minders no matter what period in their history.

The biggest issue with the current crop is not their talent but with getting game time with Caoimhin Kelleher stuck behind arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Alisson Becker at Liverpool (and unable to get a move away). Gavin Bazunu, who is currently injured, will now have to fight with new big-money Southampton signing Aaron Ramsdale when he returns.

Kelleher (25) remains one of the top keepers in his age group and despite playing time issues he is a more than capable #1 in the absence of Bazunu through injury. Travers (25) is another whose playing time can be questioned but not his quality, hopefully, he can get more opportunities with Bournemouth this season

Rounding out this squad as the third choice is Max O’Leary (27) who is the Anglo connection due to being born in Bath. He qualifies for Ireland through his grandparent from Kerry. He’s been in-around squads (including the current one) but has arguably unfairly not gotten a chance yet to be a regular with Bristol City.

Starter: Kelleher

Subs: Travers, O’Leary

Defenders

In defence, it’s a tale of two halves for this hypothetical Republic of Ireland squad with the full-back areas a considerable weak point. The first full-back named would have to be Republic of Ireland Captain Seamus Coleman who is still going strong at 35. To deputise him we’re going with Swansea defender Josh Key (24) who was born in Torquay and has never played International football at any level but is believed to be of interest to the FAI due to him qualifying for Ireland through a grandparent, his great grandfather Myles Abraham even captained Ireland in Rugby. Dublin-born Dennis Cirkin (22) has played with England U21s but is of great promise and gets the starting slot here.

The first centre-back in the starting XI would be Nathan Collins (23) of Brentford who is having a brilliant 24/25 season so far. He will be partnered with Man United CB Harry Maguire (31) who could’ve played with Ireland due to his grandparents but has instead been capped 63 times by England.

The two other deputies in this squad are new Everton signing Jake O’Brien (23) who looks to have a bright future ahead after starring for Lyon last season. The final defensive slot would go to former League of Ireland stalwart Liam Scales (26) whose performances go under the radar with Celtic and he could cover both CB and LB in this squad.

Starter: Coleman, Collins, Maguire, Cirkin

Subs: O’Brien, Scales, Key (3)

Midfielders

The strongest area of this squad (albeit the most controversial).

Arsenal midfielder Rice (25) has developed into a “top-class” (arguably world-class) player and where was that development helped? With his appearances for the Republic of Ireland at U17, U19, U21 and Senior before he controversially switched back to his country of birth.

Partnering him? Atletico Madrid’s latest signing Gallagher (24) who despite holding an Irish passport, frequenting an All-Ireland Final and having a girlfriend originally from Cork has never represented Ireland and has played with England from U17 to Senior Level. He is quality though and would provide an all-action partner for Rice.

The third England International we will ‘steal back’ is Jude Bellingham (20) who not only has a viral photo of him in an Ireland kit when younger but also holds an Irish passport since his move to Real Madrid.

Our cover in midfield will be provided by Jayson Molumby (25) who provides bite in the middle of the park in abundance. Second is Will Smallbone who despite being born in Basingstoke has represented Ireland from U18 to senior level due to his Kilkenny mother. The final bench slot goes to Tottenham attacking midfielder James Maddison (27) who has an Irish grandparent also.

Starter: Rice, Gallagher, Bellingham

Subs: Molumby, Smallbone, Maddison

Forwards

The attackers in this squad are also quite exciting, despite it being one of the areas where I’d bring in the fewest players of non-Irish Internationals. The starting right wing slot would be given to Ogbene (27) who has shown himself to be a proper Premier League winger in these last 12 months causing havoc for opposing defences. The CF slot would go to England’s all-time leading goalscorer and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (31) whose father is from Galway.

Rounding off the left wing would be a familiar name for both sets of supporters in Jack Grealish. The Man City winger played with Ireland from U17-U21 levels before playing for both England 21s and Seniors.

The squad would be supplemented by plenty of top strikers too. Sammie Szmodics (28), who was born in England but qualifies for Ireland through a grandparent from Longford, Evan Ferguson (19), who has been labelled as “the next big thing”, and ironically has an English mother. The final two slots would go to Adam Idah (23) who is at Celtic and Troy Parrott (22) now at AZ.

Starter: Ogbene, Kane, Grealish

Subs: Szmodics, Ferguson, Idah, Parrott

Rep. of Ireland x England Dual Nationality Full Squad

GK: Kelleher, Travers, O’Leary (3)

DF: Collins, Maguire, O’Brien, Coleman, Cirkin, Scales, Key (7)

MF: Rice, Gallagher, Bellingham, Maddison, Smallbone, Grealish, Molumby (6)

FW: Kane, Ferguson, Szmodics, Grealish, Idah, Ogbene, Parrott (7)

Rep. of Ireland x England Dual Nationality XI

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Kelleher

RB: Coleman, CB: Collins, CB: Maguire, LB: Cirkin

CM: Rice, CM: Bellingham, CM: Gallagher

RW: Ogbene, CF: Kane, LW: Grealish

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.