Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau, try-scorers for London Irish in last Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Toulouse, feature in the Exiles’ starting line-up for Sunday’s Guinness Premiership match with Leeds Carnegie at Madejski Stadium (kick-off 3.00pm).
The two wingers, who received wide acclaim for their individual contributions to an outstanding team performance in last week’s match, will be hoping for a repeat contribution as Irish seek the points that will keep their hopes for qualifying for next season’s Heineken Cup alive. At present London Irish are in seventh place in the Premiership table and need to finish in sixth to secure a place in Europe’s premier club rugby tournament.
Irish make six personnel and one positional change to the team that started at Twickenham last weekend. Among the backs Eoghan Hickey starts at fly half with Tomas De Vedia coming in on the right wing as Ojo switches to full back. There are three changes to the pack. Clarke Dermody starts at loose head prop with James Hudson coming into the second row. Richard Thorpe returns at No 8.
“Have no doubt that Stuart Lancaster’s team will be doing all in their power to prevent us taking the points on Sunday,” said Brian Smith, London Irish Director of Rugby. “Leeds are a courageous and talented side. They have faced adversity all season and they’ve just kept going which speaks volumes for their professionalism and character.
“Having tasted and enjoyed competing with the elite of Europe we want to repeat the experience as often as possible. If we’re to do that next season then we need to win on Sunday afternoon. A win will enable us to travel to Sale next Saturday to play for sixth place and another crack at Europe. We’re not at full strength – Delon Armitage (foot), Warren Fury (ankle), Nick Kennedy (foot), Kieran Roche (neck), Dominic Shabbo (leg), Richard Skuse (neck) and Gonzalo Tiesi (ankle) are missing, but we are confident that the team will give of their best in front of our home supporters for the final time this season,” Smith concluded.
Team:
15. Topsy Ojo; 14. Tomas De Vedia*; 13. Peter Richards*; 12. Seilala Mapusua*; 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 10. Eoghan Hickey; 9. Paul Hodgson*; 1. Clarke Dermody*; 2. David Paice, 3. Faan Rautenbach*; 4. James Hudson; 5. Bob Casey* (captain); 6. Declan Danaher; 7. Steffon Armitage; 8. Richard Thorpe.
Replacements:
16. Tonga Lea’aetoa*; 17. Stuart Mackie; 18. Gary Johnson; 19. Phil Murphy*; 20. Jon Fisher; 21. Peter Hewat; 22. Shane Geraghty*.
* Denotes international
Director of Rugby: Brian Smith; Forwards Coach: Toby Booth; Backs Coach: Mike Catt.
There will be live match commentary from Madejski Stadium by Graham McKechnie of BBC Radio Berkshire with expert summaries by Nick Kennedy on the London Irish website at www.london-irish.com.