The Irish Wolfhounds' howls appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

Rugby League International Federation vice-chairman Richard Lewis still wants World Cup wooden spooners France - not surprise packets Ireland - to play next year's four nations tournament.

Ireland coach Andy Kelly claimed his Wolfhounds deserved a place alongside Australia, England and New Zealand in the 2009 tournament after they just missed out on an historic World Cup semi-final berth.

Ireland were tipped to replace France at the four nations after turning out to be a major surprise at the World Cup.

They topped their pool before bowing out 30-14 to Fiji in Monday night's semi-final qualifier at the Gold Coast - a match Lewis attended.

In contrast, France were the biggest disappointment, finishing dead-last in the 10-team competition.

Yet Lewis backed France to be the fourth team in next year's northern hemisphere tournament.

"The Four Nations, in my view, should be unchanged. It should be exactly what has been planned," he told reporters.

"France have a more developed infrastructure. It's a bigger sport in France at the moment, and they deserve an opportunity to play in the Four Nations.

"They have been playing consistently every year against Australia and New Zealand.

"One of the key issues is that they are capable of staging matches, and that's important for the international game.

"Certainly France have been one of the disappointments in the World Cup - and they are the first to admit that - but it doesn't mean to say they don't deserve a chance in 2009 to play in the Four Nations."

But Lewis did support Kelly's call for an Irish team to contest the lower tier National League UK competition to help lift the sport's profile in the Emerald Isle.

He also hinted at a Scottish National League team.

But Lewis said Irish rugby league had to take baby steps before making the giant leap into the four nations.

He believed Ireland had to cut its teeth in the European Nations Cup first.

"The Irish performed very creditably, but first we need to develop the game in Ireland," Lewis said.

"They have got good development work going on there. The number of clubs and teams is increasing, and we need more of that.

"I hope the Irish government and their equivalent of the sports council will get behind them.

"But I think 2009 would be too early (for Ireland to enter the four nations)."

AAP