Huddersfield Giants prop Stuart Fielden has switched his allegiance to Ireland for the World Cup.
Pat Richards is set to play his last match before heading home to Australia in front of his Irish relatives in Limerick.
St Helens are set to have four men playing on their home ground when England Knights take on Ireland at Langtree Park.
It has been announced that Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will host a double-header to launch the 2013 World Cup.
England are a distant third in the revamped world rankings issued on Friday by the Rugby League International Federation.
New Ireland coach Mark Aston has included 13 uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the autumn internationals.
Ireland have launched a bid to take the 2013 World Cup to the Munster rugby union fortress of Thomond Park.
Ireland have axed long-serving coach Andy Kelly as part of a major reshuffle ahead of the 2013 World Cup.