Frontrower Wayne Kerr will make his rugby league World Cup debut against Samoa on Wednesday night.

Irish-born Kerr, who only started playing league three years ago, will start from the bench in place of veteran Mick Cassidy who misses out.

The 24-year-old is the only new face in the side from that which lost to Tonga last Monday, although Liam Finn and Gareth Haggerty come into the starting line-up, while Karl Fitzpatrick and Ryan Tandy drop back to the bench.

Ireland: Michael Platt, Damien Blanch, Sean Gleeson, Stuart Littler, Pat Richards, Scott Grix, Liam Finn, Eamon O'Carroll, Bob Beswick, Gareth Haggerty, Ben Harrison, Lee Doran, Simon Finnigan. Interchange: Michael McIlorum, Karl Fitzpatrick, Wayne Kerr, Ryan Tandy.

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