Quinnell called up to face Samoans

RUGBY LEAGUE CENTENARY WORLD CUP

Scott Quinnell will make his Welsh debut tomorrow in the most important match since the national team was re-formed, writes Dave Hadfield.

The Wigan forward has recovered from an ankle injury and takes his place in the second row against Western Samoa at Swansea, a match Wales must win to set up a semi-final against England.

Halifax's Mark Perrett drops out, while Neil Cowie, who missed Wales' opening match against France as his wife was having a baby, is on the bench at the expense of Mark Jones.

Samoa's coach, Graham Lowe, is delaying his selection but will not make many changes for a game that is expected to attract a 16,000 full house at Vetch Field.

Fiji, who play Australia this afternoon, are also holding on for three players rated as doubtful. The full-back, Waisele Sovatabua, has flu. The loose forward, Samuela Marayawa and the goal-kicking stand-off, Noa Nayacakalou, and have knee injuries.

The New Zealand Rugby League has apologised to the World Cup organisers after their hooker, Syd Eru, tested positive for pseudoephedrine.

WALES (Group Three v Western Samoa, Vetch Field, Swansea, tomorrow): Harris (Warrington); Devereux (Widnes), Gibbs (St Helens), Bateman (Cronulla), Sullivan (St Helens); Davies (Warrington, capt), Ellis (North Queensland Cowboys); Skerrett (Wigan), Hall (Wigan), Young (Salford), Moriarty (Halifax), Quinnell (Wigan), Eyres (Leeds). Substitutes: Cowie (Wigan), Cunningham (St Helens), Phillips (Workington), Hadley (Widnes).