World Cup winner James Simpson-Hill is set to come out of retirement to represent his father's Scottish heritage at the Wheelchair Celtic Cup in Edinburgh on May 23.

Simpson-Hill, who is Scotland assistant coach, recently toured Australia with the UK Armed Forces wheelchair side.

After being a member of England's World Cup winning side in 2022, Simpson-Hill is set to lend his experience on field to an improving Scotland side, who are looking for their first tournament win.

The 11th staging of the Wheelchair Celtic Cup between Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the Oriam Performance Centre in Edinburgh is a warm-up for the three nations ahead of IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Scotland co-captain, Calum Davidson, said: “The Celtic Cup returns to Scotland and we are looking forward to seeing how we are progressing from the work we have been putting in.

"The majority of the squad is still fairly new to the sport, myself included, and we don't take it for granted being able to pull on the Thistle and represent our country.

“It's not going to be easy as both Ireland and Wales are strong opposition, but we want to do ourselves proud and we know we have to work hard to give a good account of ourselves.”

Super League side Edinburgh Giants provide the bulk of their squad including further debutant Arran King.

Double Celtic Cup holders Ireland have a settled squad, the number three ranked nation in the world giving a new cap to Jack Mangan, who impressed for the national ‘A’ team against Scotland last October, while Maurice Noonan returns, having featured in the 2024 competition in Galway.

Photo: Ireland will be aiming to win a third consecutive Celtic Cup in Edinburgh.

“Each year the Celtic Cup grows as a competition and we are sure that the 2026 event at the Oriam will be no exception,” said Ireland player/head coach Phil Roberts.

“We expect hard-fought, intense encounters that will hinge on decision-making and execution in the many key moments. Our focus has been on perfecting the details and if we do that consistently, the results will follow. “

Wales are hoping to recapture a trophy they had a stranglehold on, winning it seven times in succession. They have included two uncapped teenagers - Sheffield Eagles’ Sid Ramsey, who has scored nine tries in six games after making his Super League debut last year, and 16-year-old Callum Turner.

Returning to the squad after two years is Wales’s record appearance maker, Harry Mitchell-Jones, who is set to win his 45th and 46th caps, and also back, after five years out, are the father-son duo, Jamie and Jason Reynolds, who helped South Wales Jets win the Welsh title this year.

“The road to Wollongong and the 2026 World Cup starts here,” Wales head coach, Alan Caron, said. “This tournament is our primary chance to test combinations under pressure.

“We are currently going through a transition, blending our experienced leaders like Jodie Boyd-Ward and Stuart Williams with incredible new talent.

"The Celtic Cup is vital for our growth, I’m looking for consistency, intensity, and players to show me they have the standards required for the international stage.”

WHEELCHAIR CELTIC CUP - 23 MAY 2026

Venue: The Orium, Edinburgh

Fixture 1 – Scotland v Ireland (kick off 11:00am)

Fixture 2 – Ireland v Wales (13:00pm)

Fixture 3 – Scotland v Wales (15:00pm)

Ireland Squad

Joseph Calcott, Phil Roberts (Connacht), Jack Mangan, Mel Griffith, Oran Spain, Toby Burton Carter (Leinster), Cian Horgan, Maurice Noonan (Munster), Peter Johnston, Tom Martin (Ulster)

Scotland Squad

Calum Japes (Castleford Tigers), Calum Davidson, Sarah Devlin, Hamish Douglas, Olivia Fulton, David Hill, Arran King, Mark Robertson (Edinburgh Giants) Max Owen (London Roosters) James Simpson-Hill MBE (UKAF)

Wales Squad

Lee Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons), Stuart Williams (Edinburgh Giants), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Harry Michell-Jones (North Wales Crusaders), Sid Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles), Jamie Reynolds, Jason Reynolds (South Wales Jets), Matthew Turner, Mark Williams (Wigan Warriors)