Irish rugby league side set quarter-final target

Ireland will be playing with a smile on their faces in the World Cup, according to coach Mark Aston.

The Irish are among the 500/1 rank outsiders but Aston is confident they can make their mark in their group games against Italy, Papua New Guinea and Wales.

Sunday's game against the Azzurri will be 12 months to the day since Ireland's last match, a 70-16 victory over Russia in Bray that secured them a trip to Australia, but Aston says his team are happy to play the cards they are dealt.