The countdown to the 2008 World Cup intensifies this weekend when Ireland, Scotland and Wales bid to secure two of the three remaining places in the draw.
The home nations are guaranteed at least two representatives, with Wales and Scotland involved in a straight shoot-out in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon for the right to join England on the plane to Australia next October.
Ireland can secure their place in the 10-team tournament on Friday night by gaining at least a draw from their final European qualifying group match against Lebanon.
It is a home game for the Lebanese but, because of the volatile situation in the Middle East, will take place at Dewsbury's Tetley Stadium, which should make Ireland and Dewsbury coach Andy Kelly feel at home.
Although he will be in the away dressing room, Kelly appreciates the irony of the situation.
"The club have been very impartial and that is something I will take up with them afterwards," he quipped.
"Not having to travel is an advantage and the locality gives it more of an Irish feel than Lebanese for definite but I just think the game is of so much importance that, come kick-off time, a lot of that is negated.
"It's about how they perform, not the environment they're playing in." Ireland, who reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in 2000, face a difficult test against a largely Australian-based Lebanese team who flexed their muscles with a 48-0 win over Russia in their penultimate group match in Moscow last Saturday.
Ireland needed a last-minute converted try centre Stuart Littler, their new captain, to snatch an 18-18 draw with Lebanon in Dublin last year and Kelly is expecting another close-fought match.
"We haven't been able to secure any tape of their match against Russia last week but, looking back, there's eight of the squad from last year so we probably know enough about half the side," he said.
"But what we do know about the Lebanese from last year is that they'll be very tough, very competitive and very organised. Darren Maroon has them structured and they play very enthusiastically.
"There is absolutely no misconception in the Irish camp this year. We were the side lucky to come away with the draw and that was on home soil as well. We let ourselves down at Tolka Park."
Not all will be lost for the vanquished this weekend, with the defeated teams joining Samoa and the United States in the repechage to determine 10th place.
But Samoa will be firm favourites to grab the last spot after enlisting a host of former New Zealand internationals with island ancestry, including Super League trio Ali Lauitiiti, Willie Talau and Iafeta Palea'aesina, which serves to heighten the importance of tomorrow's match.
"A lot of Kiwis have sworn allegiance to the Samoan side but you've also got to look at Scotland and Wales," said Kelly.
"One of those will go into the mix and they're both very strong sides this year so the repechage is going to be a real tough and interesting competition to try and navigate your way through. I would much rather do it on Friday."
The Cedars, who qualified for the last World Cup, are equally determined to make the most of their big opportunity, with tomorrow's match being shown live on Middle East television.
"This game has been seven years in the making," said team manager Anthony Elias. "We are really looking forward to what should be a great game with the Irish after our 18-18 draw with them last year.
"We have prepared hard and are expecting to win. We want to be going home this weekend and not hanging around for the 10th-placed play-off."
Kelly will make at least three changes to the side that beat Russia 58-18 in Carlow a fortnight ago.
Winger Gavin Dodd is unavailable but Ireland can call on Wigan prop Paul Prescott and former Wigan and Great Britain forward Mick Cassidy.
Meanwhile, Wales have Warrington forward Andy Bracek available for the crunch game with Scotland and will give late fitness tests to Mark Lennon, Aaron Summers and Damien Gibson.
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