The 17 for Jamaica’s World Cup debut against Ireland has been confirmed.
The Jamaicans have named Huddersfield Giants star and natural fullback Ash Golding at hooker.
Golding has worn five all season for the Giants sometimes filling in on the wing or starting off the bench as a replacement hooker, a position he first tried his hand at back in his Leeds days.
It was expected that he would play loose-forward for Jamaica after being given the number 13 jersey but he will instead start at nine today.
At fullback, a position many expected him to play, is Ben Jones-Bishop. Bishop’s best rugby has often come on the wing especially at Leeds where he scored in a Super League Grand Final (2012), World Club Challenge (2012) and Challenge Cup Final (2011) but he was naturally a fullback playing great there on loan at Harlequins and scoring a memorable try for the Rhinos in that role against Hull FC in 2011.
So he is more than capable.
England star Dom Young’s brother Alex starts on the wing as Huddersfield Giants prop Michael Lawrence starts at prop.
Bradford Bulls youngster and formerly of Leeds Rhinos AJ Wallace starts at second-row with a chance to show just how good he is as Super League interest mounts.
The Jamaicans take on a star-studded Ireland side including three-time NRL winner Luke Keary.
Here are the teams in full:
🇯🇲☘️ Squads are in for Jamaica's World Cup debut!
Jamaica will take on Ireland at Headingley Stadium – with Luke Keary and Richie Myler set to make their debuts for the Wolfhounds!
Who are you backing in this one?#RLWC2021 | #JAMIRE pic.twitter.com/XHsq2SZaWu
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 16, 2022
