Alex Lewington returns to the wing for Sunday’s crunch Aviva Premiership clash with Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park (kick-off 3pm live on BT Sport).
The London Irish flyer has missed his side’s last three games in all competitions through injury, and his inclusion in the starting XV is a welcome boost for the Exiles going into the contest.
Lewington is one of two changes to the side that locked horns with Sale Sharks in the Exiles’ last Premiership outing earlier this month, Jebb Sinclair getting the nod in the back-row alongside openside flanker Blair Cowan. The Canadian international comes in for Ofisa Treviranus who is named amongst the replacements, with skipper Luke Narraway switching to number-eight.
“Alex Lewington has been one of our form players this year and I’m pleased to have him back in the side for this weekend,” said Head Coach Tom Coventry.
“He has been very exciting on the wing and London Irish runs through his blood, so he is pretty happy to be back,” he added.
A four point gap separates the Exiles from their North East counterparts ahead of the trip to Kingston Park. Coventry is satisfied with preparations as Irish head north, saying: “We have had a good week in training and the lads have worked on the processes that we need to put in place in order to be successful this weekend.
“Newcastle are very tough upfront and they have a good set-piece which has worked well for them all year, so we are well aware of what to expect in that department.”
You can watch a full interview with Alex Lewington on LITV by clicking here.
London Irish: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Andrew Fenby, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Tom Court, 2 David Paice, 3 Halani Aulika, 4 Will Lloyd, 5 Matt Symons, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Luke Narraway (c)
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Tom Smallbone, 18 Leo Halavatau, 19 Jerry Sexton, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma
Ad Space
