Irish stick with tried and trusted
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:37
London Irish have announced an unchanged starting line-up for Sunday’s Guinness Premiership match with Saracens at Madejski Stadium.
The club keeps confidence in the team that secured an important away win over Newcastle Falcons last weekend. The only change is among the replacements where Tom Homer comes in as Tonga Lea’aetoa was called into the Pacific Islands squad for their match with Italy. Mike Catt captains the team in the absence of Bob Casey with the Ireland squad.
"We were delighted to be able to take the winning momentum built up in the Cup competitions in recent weeks into last weekend’s match with Newcastle Falcons,” said Toby Booth, London Irish Head Coach.
"A combination of an awkward travel itinerary, a difficult opposition and a poor pitch made for a potential ‘banana skin’ occasion. As it turned out a mighty performance by our pack laid the foundations for an important away win that has taken us into the top four of the league.
"Our opponents on Sunday are similar to ourselves in many ways. Earlier this year Saracens set about changing themselves from being good competitors to a club that is a serious contender for silverware by recruiting new players and coaching staff.
"As every follower of club rugby in these parts knows their Director of Rugby is Eddie Jones, one of the most sought after coaches in world rugby. Eddie’s achievements in the game speak for themselves and he is already leaving his mark on the ‘Men in Black’. We will have to produce another outstanding performance if we are to beat his team. With the enthusiastic backing of our supporters I’m confident that we can do so," Booth concluded.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali’i, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 James Bailey, 10. Mike Catt (captain), 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris
Hala’Ufia, 7 Declan Danaher, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5. Kieran Roche, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody
Replacements: 16 James Buckland, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Steffon Armitage, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Charlie Gower, 22 Tom Homer
Date: Sunday November 23
Venue: Madjeski Stadium, Reading
Time: 15:00 (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Touch judges: Paul Emerson, Andrew Pearce
With thanks to www.london-irish.com
