Major Tom: Two of my heritages going head to head, can't back one over the other. Have go for both. C'mon Wales, c'mon Ireland

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Iestyn Harris
Former Great Britain and Wales international on Radio 5 live sports extra

If Ireland go and win this game convincingly, they will look back on the World Cup as a success, even though they did not qualify for the quarter-finals. For Wales, they HAVE to perform in this game.

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Michael McIlorum and Brad Singleton keep it alive for Ireland, but Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook loses it in the tackle a metre short of the line.

Solid defence from Wales there. They'll get a first taste of the ball in hand.

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Wales are straight up on that Ireland catch, but it's a great drive on the second tackle from Kyle Amor and then Mark Aston's side get space on the left to open up.

A superb opening set that ends with Rhys Williams being taken beyond his own line for an in-goal drop out. Ireland will get another crack.

Here we go then.

Wales get this one under way.

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Iestyn Harris
Former Great Britain and Wales international on Radio 5 live sports extra

It's a big game for Wales, they haven't performed in the first two games against Fiji and Papua New Guinea. They'll want to get some pride back.

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Warm was an understatement, it's currently 32 degrees... hope you packed your sun cream, lads.

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Eyes back on today's prize, which is pride and bragging rights for either Wales or Ireland.

It's looking like a warm, windy day in Perth. And it's nearly time for kick-off.

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Well, we might as well start with Australia.

The Kanagaroos, New Zealand and Tonga had all guaranteed their progress to the last eight after two rounds of matches.

Australia maintained their 100% record with a win over Lebanon in the final group game to progress as Group A winners, but it was Tonga who hit the headlines in Group B as they beat New Zealand 28-22 in a thrilling encounter to go through top.

Scotland's poor points difference means they miss out, with Samoa progressing in third.

That Tongan victory also sets them up with a potential semi-final against England, who bar a shock defeat by France look set to go through second in their group, with Lebanon the third-placed qualifier.

Papua New Guinea ended Ireland's hopes to top Group C, while Fiji were the ones to make it out of Group D.

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A slightly complicated picture here but Radio 5 live sports extra will join the rugby league once the women's cricket down under has finished.

But don't panic because even if the cricket has not finished we will have sport extra's coverage here on the website.

Don't forget, our diet of World Cup action starts with Wales v Ireland at 07:30 GMT before England take on Wales (10:00 GMT).

Both these matches take place at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Now then, we're kicking off this morning's double-header with Wales v Ireland, but coming up for you straight after is England's final group game against France.

Wayne Bennett's side beat Lebanon last time out, but will be looking to improve on a slightly jaded performance.

Kick-off for that one is 10:00 GMT, so make sure you stick around....

Want to know how hard rugby league players work? Watch this video of the Welsh lads training this week.

Here's how they line up...

Wales: Elliot Kear; Regan Grace, Michael Channing, Ben Morris, Rhys Williams; Courtney Davies, Josh Ralph; Craig Kopczak, Steve Parry, Ben Evans, Morgan Knowles, Matty Fozard, Philip Joseph.

Interchanges: Rhodri Lloyd, Joe Burke, Gavin Bennion, Andrew Gay.

Ireland: Scott Grix; Shannon McDonnell, Ed Chamberlain, Api Pewhairangi, Liam Kay; Joe Keyes, Liam Finn; Anthony Mullaly, Michale McIlorum, Kyle Amor, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Will Hope, Brad Singleton.

Interchanges: George King, Matty Hadden, Joe Philbin, Oliver Roberts.

Ever watched Jaws? Yeh, I liked it too.

The Welsh lads had a day off and went for a surf lesson. Well, why wouldn't you if you were in and around Perth?

Then this happened....

This is the final game of the tournament for a Wales side that have had a largely forgettable time of it.

They started their tournament in the rugby league hotbed of Papua New Guinea and got absolutely steamrollered 50-6 by a side roared on by a partisan home crowd.

Bearing in mind that only one team from the three sides in Group C qualify, coach John Kear was understandably looking for a response from his players.

Sadly Wales' hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup were exterminated by a 14-try mauling by superb Fiji.

The Pacific Islanders inflicted a record tournament defeat on Wales, scoring eight tries before half-time.

Ireland have had a very different campaign to their opponent's today.

Indeed until PNG defeated USA 64-0 a few moments ago they were still in with a shout of reaching the last eight.

Mark Aston's team opened the World Cup with a slightly unexpected but most welcome and fully deserved 36-12 win over Italy in baking hot Cairns.

Next up a match in Port Moresby against PNG that always looked like a group-defining fixture.

It was a tough and uncompromising fixture - and Ireland remained in the game until the final few minutes, when the home team scored a decisive try.

Now, despite their exit, Aston wants his to team to sign out in style.

"We're disappointed because we set the objective of getting to the quarter-finals and playing against England," Aston said.

"But I've got to say I'm immensely proud of what the boys stand for as a team and how well they've gelled."

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This one is now all about pride, but you can guarantee there will be no shortage of that as Wales meet Ireland in Perth.

Wales' defeats by Fiji and Papua New Guinea meant they were already out before today's early game, while Ireland's opening-day victory over Italy gave them a fighting chance.

But PNG have just completed a 64-0 hammering of the USA that sees Ireland miss out on the knockout stages, having lost to the co-hosts last week.

So PNG top the group, and this will be Wales and Ireland's last World Cup outing this year.

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