Irish blood runs through Manly Sea Eagles prop James Hasson in rugby league World Cup James Hasson during Manly training at their base at Narrabeen ahead of saturdays game against the Melbourne Storm. WHEN the Irish team sing their stirring national anthem prior to their World Cup game against the Kangaroos on Saturday, there will be no more passionate player than Sea Eagles forward James Hasson. The 21-year-old may have spent most of his life in Sydney but is very proud of his Irish heritage and representing the country of his birth. "I always dreamt of playing for Ireland but I thought I would do it through rugby union," said Hasson, who moved to Australia with his family when he was two. "It wasn't just saying 'I qualify for Ireland, I want to go and play for them' - I've been thinking of this for a while," Hasson said. And he renewed his ties with the Irish by travelling back there every couple of years on family holidays. Manly rugby league player James Hasson who was serving sandwiches at Subway this time last year. And a busload of Hasson's relatives are travelling down to Limerick from County Derry to watch him play for the first time tomorrow. "So I am really excited about that as well," he said. I grew up in Australia but now that I have played for Ireland I consider myself Irish. Hasson has already played in the Ireland team beaten 42-0 by England and he now faces the ultimate test against the Kangaroos. "I have no regrets coming over here and representing the country of my father's birth and playing against two of the best teams in the world," he said. This is a massive game for me, it's just a great chance to test myself at this early stage of my career. Ben Westwood (C) of England runs at Bob Beswick (R) and James Hasson (L) of Ireland during the Rugby League World Cup Group A match between England and Ireland. Adding to the occasion, Hasson will be playing against his Sea Eagles teammate Daly Cherry-Evans for the first time. "He is a cheeky little bugger out on the field," Hasson said. He will be looking to get under my skin and I will try to get under his skin - it will be good. Hasson is also preparing to cop some sledging from his friend and former Cronulla teammate Paul Gallen. He goes into Saturday's game against the star-studded Australian side with realistic expectations about what to expect. "If we can play our best the scoreline won't be massive, if we get within 20 of them it will be competitive," he said.