Exiles name squad for season opener

London Irish has named its squad that is set to travel to Gloucester in the opening round of the Premiership Rugby Cup tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Harry Elrington, Ross McMillian and Lovejoy Chawatama make up the front row, with Barney Maddison partnering debutant George Nott in the second row.

Conor Gilsenan is named at blindside flanker as Blair Cowan captains the team from openside flank. Fiji international Albert Tuisue completes the pack from number 8.

Scrum-half Scott Steele and fly-half Stephen Myler make up the half-backs, with Terrence Hepetema starts at inside centre and Australian international Curtis Rona is set to make his first London Irish appearance wearing the 13 jersey.

Ollie Hassell-Collins and Matt Williams are named on the wings, with Tom Parton, who returns from a lengthy injury, starting at full-back.

“The players have gone through an extended pre-season and are looking forward to the first game of the season” said Declan Kidney, director of rugby.

“Blair Cowan captains the team for tomorrow’s match and it gives the opportunity for some of our new arrivals to put on the Exiles shirt for the first time in a competitive fixture.”

London Irish:

15 Tom Parton, 14 Matt Williams, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Ross McMillian, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 4 Barney Maddison, 5 George Nott, 6 Conor Gilsenan, 7 Blair Cowan ©, 8 Albert Tuisue

Replacements:

16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 18 Patric Cilliers, 19 Franco van der Merwe, 20 Matt Rogerson, 21 Rory Brand, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Ben Loader

Gloucester Rugby:

15 Reece Dunn, 14 Jake Morris, 13 Tom Stanton, 12 Tom Seasbrook, 11 Louis Rees-Zammit, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Charlie Chapman, 1 Alex Seville, 2 Henry Walker, 3 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Simon Linsell (c), 6 Josh Gray, 7 Aaron Hinkley, 8 Jack Clement

Replacements

16 Ethan Hunt, 17 Ciaran Knight, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Harry Butler, 20 Joe Howard, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 George Barton, 23 Alex Morgan

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