TEAM NEWS: London Irish name side for Wasps game

TEAM NEWS: London Irish name side for Wasps game

London Irish welcome Wasps to the Madejski Stadium this Sunday (kick-off 3pm) for Aviva Premiership Round 9 action.

The Exiles have made three changes to the starting line-up which faced Bath Rugby last Sunday.

Ollie Hoskins starts in the front row alongside captain David Paice and Ben Franks.

Teofilo Paulo returns from injury to feature in the second row with Franco van der Merwe, and Mike Coman makes a start in the back row alongside Blair Cowan and Max Northcote-Green who extended his contract with the men in green together with Johnny Williams earlier this week.

Blair Cowan continues to switch to No 8 in place of Ofisa Treviranus who is on international duty with Samoa.  

Luke McLean and Fergus Mulchrone extend their centre partnership, with Ben Meehan and Tommy Bell at scrum-half and fly-half respectively. And Alex Lewington, James Marshall and Joe Cokanasiga feature in an exciting back three.

“I was proud of the spirit and desire shown by the team against Bath last Sunday, particularly in the closing stages of the contest when we very nearly crossed for a match winning try,” said London Irish director of rugby Nick Kennedy.

“Our fantastic home crowd played a key role during the game, giving us lots of energy when we really needed it and we are looking forward to the same support at the Madejski on Sunday when we're set to see our biggest crowd of the season.

“It’s really good to see Johnny Williams and Max Northcote-Green re-signing for the club.

“They are young, English qualified players whose games are going from strength to strength and we are delighted that they see their futures with London Irish.”  

London Irish: 15 James Marshall, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Luke McLean, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Tommy Bell, 9 Ben Meehan, 1 Ben Franks, 2 David Paice (c), 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 6 Mike Coman, 7 Max Northcote-Green, 8 Blair Cowan  

Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Sebastian De Chaves, 20 Conor Gilsenan, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Greig Tonks, 23 Tom Fowlie  

London Irish welcome Wasps to the Madejski Stadium in the Aviva Premiership this Sunday (kick-off 3pm). Tickets start from £23 for adults and £3 for under 13s. Tickets are available from www.lidirect.co.uk or by calling 0118 968 1016 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to noon then from the Madejski Stadium ticket office on Sunday).