Ireland v Tonga: Teams
Ireland boast 10 Super League players in their team to take on Tonga on Monday.
By Elliot Ball
Last Updated: 26/10/08 2:29pm
Ireland boast 10 Super League players in their team to take on Tonga in their World Cup opening pool C match against Tonga at on Monday.
Captain Scott Grix, who has appeared mostly at full-back or on the wing for Wakefield this year, will play at stand-off in the absence of the injured Graham Holroyd.
Irish born-duo Wayne Kerr and Ged Corcoran were the two players omitted from coach Andy Kelly's initial squad when he finalised his line-up.
But Kelly has still left the door open for the snubbed pair.
"It's disappointing for Wayne and Ged to miss out after being included in the 19-man squad on Friday but the fact they were selected shows they're not far away," said Kelly.
Tonga are yet to name their side as they await a ruling from the New South Wales supreme court on the eligibility of forwards Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki.
The International Federation refused to register the NRL pair for Tonga because they played for New Zealand last year.
Under present rules, players are only permitted to change their allegiance once in a two-year period.
Ireland: M Platt (Bradford); D Blanch (Wakefield), S Gleeson (Wakefield), S Littler (Salford), P Richards (Wigan); S Grix (Wakefield, capt), K Fitzpatrick (Salford); E O'Carroll (Wigan), B Beswick (Widnes), R Tandy (Wests Tigers), B Harrison (Warrington), L Doran (Leigh), S Finnigan (Bradford).
Replacements: M McIlorum (Wigan), L Finn (Dewsbury), G Haggerty (Harlequins), M Cassidy (Barrow).
Tonga team to follow