World Cup Preview: Ireland v Australia

The Rugby League World Cup goes to Ireland on Saturday night, as Mark Aston’s men host the giants of Australia at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Although Aston’s squad doesn’t include any domestic based players, he does welcome back Scott Grix, of Super League minor premiers Huddersfield.

Australia coach Tim Sheens has named a 20-man squad for the game, with Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Sam Thaiday, Brent Tate and Greg Bird all recalled to the side after being rested from last weekend’s win over Fiji.

These two sides have never met in an international match.

A win for Australia would confirm their position at the top of Group A, and their quarter-final date against USA at Wrexham next Saturday.

Australia: Billy Slater (Australia), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta), Brent Tate (North Queensland), Josh Morris (Canterbury), Brett Morris (St George), Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly), Cooper Cronk (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), James Tamou (North Queensland), Greg Bird (Gold Coast), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Nate Myles (Gold Coast). Interchanges (from): Boyd Cordner (Sydney), Robbie Farah (Wests), Andrew Fifita (Cronulla), Corey Parker (Brisbane), Josh Papalii (Canberra), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Michael Jennings (Sydney)

Ireland: Dave Allen (Widnes), Luke Ambler (Halifax), Bob Beswick (Leigh), Damien Blanch (Catalan), Ben Currie (Warrington), Liam Finn (Featherstone), Simon Finnigan (Leigh), Scott Grix (Huddersfield), Matthew Hadden (Oxford), James Hasson (Manly), Rory Kostjasyn (North Queensland), Stuart Littler (Leigh), Tyrone McCarthy (Warrington), James Mendeika (Warrington), Anthony Mullally (Huddersfield), Apirana Pewhairangi (Parramatta), Pat Richards (Wigan), Joshua Toole (Mounties), Brett White (Canberra).