London Irish Director of Rugby Nick Kennedy is using the full range of his squad for Friday’s pre-season friendly with Nottingham Rugby at Hazelwood (kick-off 7.30pm).

After seeing an impressive display from his charges at Harlequins last weekend, Kennedy has named a new-look starting XV as he casts an eye over the progress of a number of his options.

Tom Court and Ollie Hoskins start at loose-head and tight-head respectively either side of hooker Gerard Ellis, while Jerry Sexton and Sebastian De Chaves get the nod in the engine room.

Senitiki Nayalo, Max Northcote-Green and skipper for the evening Ofisa Treviranus make up a formidable back-row.

Meanwhile in the backline, Greig Tonks occupies the fly-half berth after playing much of last week’s game at full-back. The Scot, who joined the Exiles earlier this year, partners fellow countryman Scott Steele at half-back with Academy products Johnny Williams and Tom Fowlie forming a centre combination. Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Ross Neal provide the pace on either wing, while Tommy Bell pulls on the number-15 jersey.

With two weeks to go until the start of the Greene King IPA Championship campaign, Kennedy is looking for his side to continue improving when they lock horns with Nottingham under the lights at Hazelwood.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the lads in action again,” said Kennedy.

“The most important thing is that we continue to improve week on week and get better as a team as we prepare for what promises to be an extremely physical and competitive competition.

“The lads are in good shape and are all itching to show what they can do in these pre-season matches,” he added.

London Irish: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Ross Neal, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Tom Court, 2 Gerard Ellis, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Jerry Sexton, 5 Sebastian De Chaves, 6 Senitiki Nayolo, 7 Max Northcote-Green, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (c)

Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Will Lloyd, 20 Jebb Sinclair, 21 Joe Trayfoot, 22 Blair Cowan, 23 Darren Allinson, 24 Luke Narraway, 25 Fergus Mulchrone, 26 Ciaran Hearn, 27 Brendan McKibbin, 28 Jacob Atkins, 29 Harry Elrington, 30 Jason Harris-Wright, 31 Richard Palframan, 32 Conor Gilsenan, 33 Conor Murphy 

Members get Free entry to the game. 

Non-members are £5 on the door for adults and free for U18s.

There will also be live music in the Club House post match from Ruiari McManus. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase on the day. 

Parking is allocated on a first come first served basis at £5 per car. If you require disabled parking please call 01932 750 100.

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