Epsom’s Alistair McKinnell will be wearing the red, white and blue of Great Britain for the coming week, while partaking in an Australian sport... in Ireland.

That’s because the 24-year-old has been selected to represent GB Bulldogs at the Aussie Rules Europe Championships, which kick off today in Dublin with an opening clash against the Denmark Vikings.

McKinnell and his team-mates flew out yesterday with hopes of bettering a semi-final finish in 2010, although overcoming favourites, hosts and reigning champions Ireland will be a tall order.

“Ireland were unbeaten in the 2010 tournament, scoring 426 points in just four games and conceding only 74 points, they are immense,” said McKinnell.

“But we’re hopeful of at least reaching the final this time round.

“I have played at club, regional and English level, but this is my first major tournament and it is really exciting, I am sure we can do well.”

McKinnell has just completed a season playing for the Surrey Stags in the AFL Southern League, where they finished third out of four teams, and although take up of the sport in the south is slow, from London up, it is growing.

“When I started at university in Portsmouth in 2008, there were about 20 teams in the country, now there are 45,” he said.

“The London League has 10 teams, while the Welsh and Northern Leagues are well represented too.

“Some people are put off by its reputation as a rough and ready game, but there is about the same amount of contact as in rugby.

“If anything, the better teams are those who have the least contact and link up plays better than anyone else.”

Win, lose or draw in Dublin, McKinnell has his eyes set on next year’s International Cup in Australia with GB, and representing England in October’s EU Cup in France.

Your Local Guardian: Alistair McKinnell

Man on a mission: Alistair McKinnell is taking on Europe's best Aussie Rules players as part of the GB Bulldogs team