Ireland's Rugby League World Cup exit confirmed as Cheika's Lebanon advance

Ireland's Rugby League World Cup exit has been confirmed after Lebanon defeated Jamaica 74-12 at the Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester.

A 48-10 defeat to New Zealand at Headingley on Friday had left the Irish side's fate out of their hands and a Lebanese victory over Jamaica would see them exit the tournament.

And so it proved, meaning Lebanon will go up against Australia in the World Cup knockout stages.

The Cedars' 13-try romp, highlighted by a hat-trick of tries from former Australia winger Josh Mansour, earned them a place in Friday's first quarter-final at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium and means Ireland finish third in Group C with a record of one win and two defeats.

Former Leinster head coach Michael Cheika, who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup final, combines his Lebanese duties with being head coach of Argentina's rugby union side and now faces a hectic weekend, with his Pumas playing Eddie Jones' England in an autumn international at Twickenham next Sunday.

Cheika's team, boosted by the presence of NRL stars Mitchell Moses and Adam Doueihi, had far too much class for the Reggae Warriors in the first meeting between the two teams as they secured their last-eight berth for the second successive World Cup.

It also clinched automatic qualification for the 2025 World Cup in France.

Jamaica ended their first World Cup without a win but, like fellow debutants Greece, they can feel proud of the steps they have taken to establish rugby league in their country.

They also received the biggest cheer of the afternoon when Keighley winger Mo Agoro scored a breakaway try early in the second half which was converted by James Woodburn-Hall, while substitute Jordan Andrade added a second after 66