Wales v Ireland: Teams

Harris: Tough challenge

We've put a lot of work into this game and we were targeting it as it's the crunch game for us. It's almost like a semi-final. A win will put us into the final and obviously that's where we want to be.

Iestyn Harris
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Wales coach Iestyn Harris is expecting a difficult game when his side face Ireland in their European Cup clash in Pontypridd.

Both sides meet on Sunday after impressive wins over Serbia, with the Welsh beating them 88-8 last weekend and Ireland earning an 82-0 victory a week earlier.

The winner of the tie at Sardis Road will make it through to the final at Bridgend's Brewery Field on November 8.

Their opponents in the final will be determined in Glasgow tomorrow - when Scotland take on Lebanon.

Crunch game

Wales are expecting to have skipper Nick Flower available after the second rower recovered from a knock he picked up in last Sunday's win over Serbia.

Harris says the victory in Smederova has boosted the confidence of his Wales side but admits their meeting with Ireland presents them with a new challenge.

"Ireland will be a different kettle of fish altogether," he said.

"They've got a lot of Super League players who will challenge us in every area and I expect it to be a difficult game.

"We've put a lot of work into this game and we were targeting it as it's the crunch game for us. It's almost like a semi-final. A win will put us into the final and obviously that's where we want to be."

Timely return

Ireland have been less fortunate with their role of skipper, with Scott Grix set to miss the clash in Wales with a hernia injury.

Wigan winger Pat Richards, though, will provide a boost for the Irish, as he makes a timely return to the national side.

Richards hasn't made an appearance for Ireland since the 2008 World Cup, where he was the tournament's joint highest scorer.

Halifax three-quarter James Haley is also a late addition for the clash and Oldham utility back Marcus St Hilaire is set to make his debut.

"We're going to be without a few players but the players who will come in are good enough to replace them," said coach Andy Kelly.

Wales (from): Matt Barron (Gateshead Thunder), Ashley Bateman (Celtic Crusaders), Chris Beasley (Celtic Crusaders), Neil Budworth (Celtic Crusaders), Geraint Davies (Celtic Crusaders), Ross Divorty (Featherstone Rovers), Gil Dudson (Celtic Crusaders), Ben Flower (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Griffiths (Leeds Met), Jordan James (Celtic Crusaders), Elliot Kear (Celtic Crusaders), Lewis Mills (Celtic Crusaders), Christiaan Roets (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Matt Thomas (London Skolars), Ross Wardle (Celtic Crusaders), Ian Watson (Leigh Centurions), Ian Webster (Central Comets), Lloyd White (Celtic Crusaders), Lee Williams (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves).

Ireland (from): Scott Grix (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), Bob Beswick (Halifax), Liam Harrison (Barrow Raiders), Karl Fitzpatrick (Salford City Reds), Liam Finn (Dewsbury Rams), Luke Ambler (Leeds Rhinos), Marcus St Hilaire (Oldham), Pat Richards (Wigan Warriors), Mick McIlorum (Wigan Warriors), Tyrone McCarthy (Warrington Wolves), Jason Golden (Harlequins), Wayne Kerr (Oldham), Dave Allen (Barrow Raiders), Sean Hesketh (York City Knights), Ryan Boyle (Castleford Tigers), John Coleman (Dublin City Exiles), Brendan Guilfoyle (Treaty City Titans), Paddy Barcoe (Carlow Crusaders), Tim Bergin (Laois Panthers), Stevie Gibbons (Carlow Crusaders).