Michael McIlorum

Michael McIlorum (born 10 January 1988) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Super League. He is both an Ireland and England international.

Michael McIlorum
Personal information
Born (1988-01-10) 10 January 1988[1]
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Height5 ft 9 in (1.74 m)[1]
Weight13 st 12 lb (88 kg)[1]
Playing information
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2007–17 Wigan Warriors 242 24 0 0 96
2018– Catalans Dragons 112 8 0 0 32
Total 354 32 0 0 128
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008–17 Ireland 6 1 0 0 4
2011–22 England 8 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3][4][5]
As of 5 November 2022

He had played his entire professional career with the Wigan Warriors in the Super League, prior to his move to the South of France.[2][3][4] He won the 2010 and 2013 Super League Championships with Wigan.

Background

McIlorum was born 10 January 1988 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, and attended Farnley Park High School.

He was a Leeds amateur at Stanningley and Queens. He had been selected for England U16s in 2004 and joined Wigan's under-18s Academy in 2005.

Playing career

Wigan

McIlorum signed a two-year full-time contract with Wigan in July 2005, keeping him at the club until the end of 2007. McIlorum was selected for Yorkshire U17s after joining Wigan in August 2005. He was also included in the England U17s squad to take on the touring Australian Institute of Sport in 2005. He capped the 2005 season by winning the Wigan Supporters' Association Under 18s Player of the Season award.

McIlorum made his senior début for Wigan on 8 June 2007 in a Challenge Cup quarter final tie against Harlequins RL at the JJB Stadium after an injury ruled out first team regular Shane Millard.

In 2010 Wigan made the 2010 Super League Grand Final, and McIlorum was selected to play as a hooker in the victory over St. Helens at Old Trafford.[6]

The following year McIlorum played for Wigan from the substitutes' bench in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.[7][8]

He played in the 2013 Challenge Cup Final victory over Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.[9][10][11]

Wigan reached the 2013 Super League Grand Final, and McIlorum was selected to play at hooker, scoring a try in their victory against the Warrington club at Old Trafford.[12][13]

He played in the 2015 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds side at Old Trafford.[14]

In the 2016 World Club Series against Brisbane, McIlorum suffered a serious ankle injury, and did not play again for the rest of the 2016 season.[15]

He played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.[16]

McIlorum playing for Ireland

Catalans Dragons

In January 2018, McIlorum signed a two-year deal with the Catalans Dragons.[17]

He played in the 2018 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Warrington club at Wembley Stadium.[18]

In the 2020 season, he played in the club's elimination final victory over Leeds but was placed on report during the game. He was later suspended for six matches after pleading guilty to two charges of a dangerous high tackle and other contrary conduct.[19]

On 9 October 2021, he played for Catalans in their 2021 Super League Grand Final defeat against St. Helens.[20] On 14 October 2023, McIlorum played in Catalans 2023 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.[21]

International career

Ireland

Being from Irish heritage, McIlorum was named in the Ireland squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[22]

After not being selected to play for England again after the 2013 World Cup, McIlorum changed his international allegiance back to Ireland in 2017 and was named in their 2017 World Cup squad.

England

In 2012 McIlorum changed his international allegiance to England and made his England début in the 2012 Autumn International Series against Wales playing at hooker. The following year he was selected as part of England's squad for their 2013 World Cup campaign.

Nine years after his last Test cap for England, he was named in the team's 24-man squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[23]

Career stats
Appearances and try’s by national team and year
National teamYearAppsTrys
Ireland 200830
England 201110
201230
201322
Ireland 201731
England 202230

Honours

References
  1. "Mike McIlorum Wigan Warriors". www.superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  2. "Profile at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "Player Summary: Michael McIlorum". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  6. Wilson, Andy (2 October 2010). "Wigan turn St Helens into sinners with Super League Grand Final win". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  7. Scott, Ged (27 August 2011). "Leeds 18–28 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  8. Wilson, Andy (27 August 2011). "Leeds Rhinos 18–28 Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup final match report". The Guardian. London.
  9. "Hull FC 0–16 Wigan Warriors". BBC Sport. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  10. "Wigan Warriors overcome Hull FC and elements to win Challenge Cup". Guardian. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  11. "Wigan Warriors grind out victory over Hull". Sky Sports. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  12. Newsum, Matt (5 October 2013). "Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors beat Warrington". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  13. "Wigan see off Warrington in X-rated Grand Final to complete double". Guardian. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  14. "Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final". Guardian. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  15. "Wigan Warriors: Michael McIlorum to miss rest of year with injury". BBC Sport. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  16. "Hull FC 18–14 Wigan recap as the Black and Whites claim back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs". Mirror. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  17. "Michael McIlorum: Catalans Dragons sign Wigan Warriors hooker on a two-year deal". BBC Sport. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  18. "Catalans Dragons beat Warrington in Challenge Cup final to make history". Guardian. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  19. "McIlorum banned for six matches". www.superleague.co.uk.
  20. "Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10–12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row". www.bbc.co.uk.
  21. "Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons". www.theguardian.com.
  22. "Cassidy included in ireland squad". BBC Sport. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  23. "England Men's Rugby League World Cup Squad Revealed". The Rugby Football League. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
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