LANCE Franklin, Daniel Wells, Steven Motlop and Lindsay Thomas headline the Indigenous Australian Rules team that will take on Ireland later this month.

The AFL announced the Indigenous team ahead of its departure this Saturday for the International Rules Series in Ireland.

Sydney Swans great Michael O'Loughlin will coach the Indigenous team, with support from a senior coaching panel comprising Rodney Eade, Tadhg Kennelly and Andrew McLe
od.
The International Rules Series will be contested over two Test matches, at Breffni Park in Cavan on October 19 and Dublin at Croke Park on October 26.

Supported by Coles and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Indigenous team will train in Melbourne on Thursday.

AFL football operations manager Mark Evans said this year's International Rules Series was a historic one.

"The series is a fantastic opportunity for the Indigenous All-Stars to come together as a team and to represent Australia for the first time in the International Rules series against Ireland," Evans said.

In the most recent series in Ireland in 2010, Australia secured a 2-0 victory under former coach Mick Malthouse, before losing 2-0 in Australia in 2011.

Indigenous Australian Rules team:
   Tony Armstrong (Sydney Swans)
   Dominic Barry (Melbourne)
   Eddie Betts (Adelaide)
   Alwyn Davey (Essendon)
   Aaron Davey (Melbourne, retired)
   Shaun Edwards (GWS)
   Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (Adelaide)
   Lance Franklin
   Jarrod Harbrow (Gold Coast)
   Joshua Hill (West Coast)
   Leroy Jetta (Essendon)
   Lewis Jetta (Sydney Swans)
   Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon, retired)
   Ashley McGrath (Brisbane Lions)
   Steven Motlop (Geelong)
   Jake Neade (Port Adelaide)
   Mathew Stokes (Geelong)
   Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
   Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast)
   Daniel Wells (North Melbourne)
   Christopher Yarran (Carlton)