IRISH show jumping team manager Michael Blake has named his squad for this weekend’s five-star Longines FEI Nations Cup of Poland in Sopot, which is Ireland’s first points-scoring round of the 2022 season in Europe Division 1 and will be broadcast live on RTÉ TV.

Ireland arrive in Sopot in superb form, having already won four Nations Cup competitions so far this season. The Irish are likely to face tough competition, where Europe’s top teams will be competing for points on the road to qualification for the Longines FEI Nations Cup World Final in Barcelona at the end of September.

France, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden will compete for points, while Poland and Denmark will also field teams but are not eligible for points as they not in Europe Division 1.

Strong squad

Blake has selected a strong squad that includes world number 19 Darragh Kenny with Volnay du Boisdeville and recent winners of the five-star Grand Prix of Rome, Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights. They are joined by Trevor Breen (Highland President), Mark McAuley (Django Ste Hermelle) and young rider Jack Ryan (BBS McGregor).

Sunday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup of Poland in Sopot gets underway at 11am Irish time with the entire second round to be broadcast live on the RTÉ News Channel starting from 1pm Irish time and finishing at 3pm. You can find the RTÉ News Channel on Sky 521, Saorview 21, Virgin 200, Eir 500 & on the RTÉ Player.

Ireland’s upcoming Longines FEI Nations Cup competitions in Rotterdam (NED), Hickstead (GBR) and Dublin (IRL) will also be shown live on RTE TV.