Wales need to succeed where Ireland failed if they are to maintain their hopes of snatching 10th place in the 2008 World Cup at the expense of Lebanon in Widnes tonight.

The Welsh were on course to secure an automatic spot until letting slip their grip on their group game against Scotland in Glasgow last Sunday and must now win through the repechage to book their trip to Australia.

Lebanon find themselves in the last-chance saloon after being twice held to draws by Ireland, who went through from their group on points difference.

The winners of the second semi-final will take on either favourites Samoa or the United States, who kick off proceedings at the Halton Stadium.

Kevin Ellis, Wales' assistant coach, said: "We've just got to pick ourselves up and start all over again.

"We were really disappointed after winning the game last Sunday but not doing enough to qualify automatically. We stayed in our dressing room for a long time after that.

"But we used that time well because we had a chat among ourselves. We said that we had let ourselves down and that we had a chance to put things right."

Wales have injury doubts over captain Lee Briers and hooker Ian Webster and, like Lebanon, will leave their selection as late as possible.

The Cedars have flown in replacements Danny Chiha, Khaled Deeb and Phillip Tatchi from Sydney's Jim Beam Cup competition following the loss of key players but their 41-year-old coach Darren Maroon may yet have to make a comeback.

"Things are so bad around here that our coach Danny is thinking he might have to play if some of the guys under treatment are not fit in time," said manager George Elias.

"He used to be a prop forward so he knows what to do but he's not played for between eight and nine years."

Like Wales and Lebanon, Samoa lost out on points difference in their qualifying group but they have drafted in a host of experienced players to boost their chances of making the main draw.

Nigel Vagana, who retired from the Kiwis after the 2006 Tri-Nations final, will captain a side that includes the Puleta brothers, Frank and Tony, and a wealth of Super League experience in Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Andreas Baeur (Hull KR), Hutch Maiava (Hull) and Philip Leulua (Salford).

Vagana believes a place in the World Cup would rejuvenate the 13-man code in Samoa, where it has clung on desperately for life in recent years.

"Samoa rugby union is at a bit of a low so it could be a good time for the league boys to strike," he said.

"These games are massive for us. We have to play next year to be able to promote the game in Samoa. We're not just fighting for the final spot, we're fighting for the birth of Samoan rugby league."

Sporting Life / Eurosport