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| Born | (1988-01-10)10 January 1988 (age 37)[1] Leeds, West Yorkshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.67 m)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 13 st 12 lb (88 kg)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Hooker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 23 March 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael McIlorum (born 10 January 1988) is a professionalrugby league footballer who plays as ahooker forHull Kingston Rovers in theSuper League. He is both anIreland andEngland international.
He had played his entire professional career with theWigan Warriors in theSuper League, prior to his move to the South of France.[2][3][4] He won the2010 and 2013 Super League Championships withWigan.
McIlorum was born 10 January 1988 inLeeds,West Yorkshire, England, and attendedFarnley 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.
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 aChallenge Cup quarter final tie againstHarlequins RL at theJJB Stadium after an injury ruled out first team regularShane Millard.
In 2010 Wigan made the2010 Super League Grand Final, and McIlorum was selected to play as a hooker in the victory overSt. Helens atOld Trafford.[6]
The following year McIlorum played for Wigan from the substitutes' bench in the2011 Challenge Cup Final victory over theLeeds Rhinos atWembley Stadium.[7][8]
He played in the2013 Challenge Cup Final victory overHull F.C. atWembley Stadium.[9][10][11]
Wigan reached the2013 Super League Grand Final, and McIlorum was selected to play at hooker, scoring atry in their victory against theWarrington club atOld Trafford.[12][13]
He played in the2015 Super League Grand Final defeat by theLeeds side atOld Trafford.[14]
In the2016 World Club Series againstBrisbane, McIlorum suffered a serious ankle injury, and did not play again for the rest of the 2016 season.[15]
He played in the2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat byHull F.C. atWembley Stadium.[16]
In January 2018, McIlorum signed a two-year deal with theCatalans Dragons.[17]
He played in the2018 Challenge Cup Final victory over theWarrington club atWembley 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 their2021 Super League Grand Final defeat against St. Helens.[20]On 14 October 2023, McIlorum played in Catalans2023 Super League Grand Final loss againstWigan.[21]
On 18 Jul 2024 it was reported that he had signed forHull Kingston Rovers in theSuper League on a 1-year deal.[22]
Being from Irish heritage, McIlorum was named in theIreland squad for the2008 Rugby League World Cup.[23]
After not being selected to play for England again after the2013 World Cup, McIlorum changed his international allegiance back to Ireland in 2017 and was named in their2017 World Cup squad.[citation needed]
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 ofEngland's squad for their2013 World Cup campaign.
Nine years after his last Test cap for England, he was named in the team's 24-man squad for the2021 Rugby League World Cup.[24]
| National team | Year | Apps | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| England | 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | |
| Ireland | 2017 | 3 | 1 |
| England | 2022 | 3 | 0 |
