Semi-finals to sell out

Rugby League

The Halifax Centenary World Cup is heading for a semi-final sell-out with both Old Trafford and Huddersfield likely to be packed to the rafters, writes Dave Hadfield.

Old Trafford has a pre-set capacity of 31,000 - more than 4,700 fewer than the crowd for the Manchester derby last Saturday - and the mysterious discrepancy is the latest in a series of ticketing blunders.

England have delayed their selection for the game against Wales until tomorrow, although that is unlikely to give Shaun Edwards, slowly recovering from a knee infection, or Gary Connolly, recuperating after pneumonia, time to stake a claim.

Wales will be without John Devereux, whose knee was so badly lacerated in the victory over Western Samoa that it needed surgery, and Neil Cowie, who has damaged ankle ligaments. However, Scott Gibbs, who missed that game, should be fit to return and Allan Bateman has been cleared following an examination of damage to his mouth.

Eddie Ward, of Brisbane, has been given the job of refereeing the match, and Castleford's Russell Smith, has been appointed to preside over the other semi-final, between Australia and New Zealand at the 19,000-capacity Alfred McAlpine Stadium on Sunday.