Exiles name squad to host Sale Sharks

Declan Kidney has confirmed the squad to welcome Sale Sharks to the Brentford Community Stadium for Round 2 of the Gallagher Premiership.

Sunday’s match (kick-off 3pm) will be the Exiles’ first home game of the season, and the first without a restricted crowd in West London.

An unchanged forwards pack has been named, with Will Goodrick-Clarke, Agustin Creevy and Marcel van der Merwe in the front row and Rob Simmons partnering Adam Coleman in the second row.

Matt Rogerson captains the team from blindside flanker and is joined in the back row by Ben Donnell and Albert Tuisue.

Ben White and Paddy Jackson are the half back duo, and Terrence Hepetema and Curtis Rona link up in the centres.

Kyle Rowe, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Tom Parton are confirmed as the back three.

There are milestones for Curtis Rona and Tom Parton, with both set to make their 50^th appearance for London Irish.

“We are delighted to welcome back supporters to the Brentford Community Stadium this weekend” said Declan Kidney, Director of Rugby.

“It’s a big lift to the players and staff alike, so we hope the supporters enjoy the occasion and the match.

“Sale are a well-drilled, physical side and a top 4 side, so it will be a big challenge. We are excited about that challenge and look forward to taking the pitch come 3pm on Sunday.”

London Irish:

15 Tom Parton, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ben White, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Agustin Creevy, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 4 Rob Simmons, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 7 Ben Donnell, 8 Albert Tuisue.

Replacements:

16 Mike Willemse, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 George Nott, 20 Steve Mafi, 21 Sean O’Brien, 22 Hugh O’Sullivan, 23 Benhard van Rensburg.

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