Irish name side for Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final

Declan Kidney has today confirmed the squad that will welcome Northampton Saints to the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night for the semi-final clash in the Premiership Rugby Cup (7:45pm kick-off).

Facundo Gigena, Ignacio Ruiz and Lovejoy Chawatama are in the front row, with Josh Caulfield and Chunya Munga in the second row.

Jack Cooke captains the side from the six jersey and is joined in the back row by Josh Basham and So’otala Fa’aso’o.

Caolan Englefield and Jacob Atkins are the halfback duo, and Rory Jennings links up with Matt Williams in the centres.

Michael Dykes, Lucio Cinti and Ben Loader form the back three to complete the line-up.

“Friday night fixtures at the Gtech Community Stadium are always a special occasion, and when you add in the potential for a place in the final, it only adds to the makings of a great evening of rugby,” said Declan Kidney, Director of Rugby.

“There was a great atmosphere in our last outing in Brentford and I’m sure it will be the same again tomorrow.

“We have had a good training week and will look to put our best foot forwards come 7:45pm on Friday.”

London Irish:
15 Ben Loader, 14 Lucio Cinti, 13 Matt Williams, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Michael Dykes, 10 Jacob Atkins, 9 Caolan Englefield, 1 Facundo Gigena, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 4 Josh Caulfield, 5 Chunya Munga, 6 Jack Cooke (c), 7 Josh Basham, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o.

Replacements:
16 Matt Cornish, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Ciaran Parker, 19 Ed Scragg, 20 Ben Donnell, 21 Hugh O’Sullivan, 22 Eddie Poolman, 23 James Stokes.

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