Kerr drafted into Irish side for Samoa clash

Front-row forward Wayne Kerr has been called into the Irish side to face Samoa in Wednesday's crucial clash at the Rugby League World Cup.

The 24-year-old Dubliner has been called up to the bench in place of veteran Mick Cassidy, who is unavailable through injury.

Elsewhere, scrum-half Liam Finn and prop Gareth Haggerty have also been drafted into the starting line-up at the expense of Karl Fitzpatrick and Ryan Tandy, who both drop to the bench.

Ireland need to beat Samoa by at least five points to finish top of their group and secure a place in the semi-finals against Fiji or Scotland.