Eight full international players feature in the starting line-up of the London Irish team for the final home match of the season with Worcester Warriors on Sunday. The match kicks-off at Madejski Stadium at 3.00pm.
The Exiles' starting XV is boosted by the return of Olivier Magne and Justin Bishop. The former Ireland winger will be making his final home appearance for the club he has served for the past 17 years. Also making their farewells to the Madejski Stadium crowd will be two other long-serving players, Neal Hatley and Barry Everitt.
Bishop and Magne are the only changes to the starting line-up of the team that played against NEC Harlequins last weekend. Mike Catt, Faan Rautenbach and Shane Geraghty continue to be unavailable for selection through injury. Bob Casey retains the captain's role in Catt's absence.
'We will be going all out to win on Sunday afternoon not only to ensure we stay in sixth place in the league and enhance our hopes of qualification for any European competition that may emerge from the current discussions, but also to send off our departing players in style,' said Brian Smith, London Irish Director of Rugby.
'This will be the final opportunity for most of our supporters to say 'thank you and goodbye' to the players that are leaving us at the end of the season and I hope that as many as possible will come along to do so,' continued Smith. 'Each and every one of the players that are going has left his distinctive mark on this great club and we wish them well for the future.'
'I've no doubt that John Brain and his team will be equally determined to come away with a result. They have the best possible motivation in their endeavour to hold on to their hard won Premiership status. The Warriors have shown their fighting qualities in recent weeks and I'm sure we will see more of them on Sunday afternoon.'
Team
15. Topsy Ojo; 14. Justin Bishop*; 13. Seilala Mapusaua*; 12. Nils Mordt; 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 10. Riki Flutey; 9. Paul Hodgson; 1. Neal Hatley; 2. Robbie Russell*, 3. Tonga Lea'aetoa*; 4. James Hudson; 5. Bob Casey* (captain); 6. Kieran Roche; 7. Olivier Magne*; 8. Phil Murphy*.
Replacements
16. Danie Coetzee*; 17. David Paice; 18. Nick Kennedy; 19. Declan Danaher; 20. Delon Armitage; 21. Richie Rees; 22. Barry Everitt.
* Denotes international
Director of Rugby: Brian Smith
Forwards Coach: Toby Booth
Tickets for the match are available by calling the London Irish ticket sales centre on 0870 999 1871 or via the club's website.
There will be live match commentary by Graham McKechnie of BBC Radio Berkshire with expert summaries by Aidan McCullen on the London Irish website at www.london-irish.com.
Coral.co.uk
Coral.co.uk, official betting and gaming partner of the Guinness Premiership are offering a free
10 bet on your team this weekend when you open an account plus you could earn your club
10 cash back in return
Coral.co.uk, official betting and gaming partner of the Guinness Premiership price London Irish at 8 to 15 favourites to win their match this weekend against Worcester Warriors. A win for the Warriors would pile further pressure on Northampton Saints at the foot of the Guinness premiership table and are 6 to 4 favorites to defeat Irish. Worcester's only previous win at Madejski Stadium came on 11 September 2005 with a 20-15 victory, whilst London Irish have won the last two encounters between the two.
London Irish - 8 to 15
Worcester - 6 to 4
Draw - 18 to 1
Handicap betting
London Irish v Worcester (+5 points)
To place a bet on this game please visit www.coral.co.uk/rugby for all the betting odds as well as all other Guinness Premiership matches this weekend. Plus open a new account and win a
10 FREE BET and for Coral.co.uk will match that and provide your favourite Guinness Premiership club with
10 for every account opened.