London Irish have named the team that will restart their Greene King IPA Championship campaign against Hartpury tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
Samoan international Motu Matu’u starts at hooker alongside Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi and Pat Cilliers in the front row, whilst Franco van der Merwe keeps his place in the second row and is joined by Teofilo Paulo at number 5.
Captaining the side is Josh McNally in the 6 jersey, with Conor Gilsenan on the open-side and Matt Rogerson completing the back row at number 8.
Ben Meehan returns to the squad at scrum-half, alongside Premiership winner Stephen Myler at fly-half. In the centres, Tom Stephenson rejoins the starting XV following a spell on the sidelines due to injury and partners the experienced Fergus Mulchrone at 13.
Top try-scorer Topsy Ojo starts at 14 with England U20 international Matt Williams at 11, creating a lively pairing on the wings. Italian international Luke McLean gets the nod at full-back to complete the Exiles back line.
London Irish: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Fergus Mulcrhone, 12 Tom Stephenson, 11 Matt Williams, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Ben Meehan, 1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Pat Cilliers, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 6 Josh McNally (C), 7 Conor Gilsenan, 8 Matt Rogerson
Replacements: 16 Dave Porecki, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Bryce Campbell
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