ANGRY IRELAND TAKE AIM AT WELSH WITHDRAWALS

Wales 6 Ireland 34 FROM GARETH WALKER in Perth IRELAND skipper Liam Finn led his side to a second win from three – then took aim at Welsh withdrawals.

Mark Aston’s side missed out on the quarter-finals to Papua New Guinea after a narrow defeat in Port Moresby but have still been one of the tournament’s success stories.

Oliver Roberts finished his impressive competition with two tries as they comfortably accounted for their opponents who were missing several high-profile players.

Wales coach John Kear had earlier highlighted a gulf in class between northern and southern hemispheres – but Finn (above) claimed that is exaggerated by players pulling out. Finn said: “We don’t take any pride in beating Wales today by a decent score.

“They’ve been let down by a number of players that have pulled out late and I really feel for Wales’ camp, John Kear and all the staff.

“There is a gulf because certain players and clubs don’t release the players from Super League.

“I don’t particularly think it’s good enough from those players, particularly the ones that have got a leg up from the Welsh game.”