Irish name squad for Brive visit

Declan Kidney has confirmed the side that are set to welcome Brive to the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3:15pm) in Round 2 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Facundo Gigena and Marcel van der Merwe are joined by debutant Tadgh McElroy in the front row, with George Nott and Steve Mafi in the second row. Nott is set to make his 50^th appearance for the Club.

Matt Rogerson captains the side from blindside flanker and is joined in the back row by Juan Martin Gonzalez and Sean O’Brien.

Hugh O’Sullivan and Benhard van Rensberg are the halfback duo, as Matt Williams and Curtis Rona combine in the centres.

Lucio Cinti, Kyle Rowe and James Stokes are confirmed as the back three

“We are looking forward to our first home game in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this season,” said Declan Kidney, Director of Rugby.

“Brive are a physical outfit, and we are expecting a tough test from the Top14 side. All French sides are difficult teams to overcome, and we fully expect that from Sunday’s opposition.

“We hope all attending supporters enjoy the game and we would like to thank them for their ongoing support.”

London Irish:
15 James Stokes, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Matt Williams, 11 Lucio Cinti, 10 Benhard van Rensberg, 9 Hugh O’Sullivan, 1 Facundo Gigena, 2 Tadgh McElroy, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 4 George Nott, 5 Steve Mafi, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Sean O’Brien.

Replacements:
16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ciaran Parker, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Ben White, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Henry Arundell.