TEAM NEWS: London Irish make one change for Exeter clash

London Irish make one change for this Sunday’s Aviva Premiership Round 20 fixture against Exeter Chiefs at the Madejski Stadium (kick-off 3pm), with Sebastian De Chaves coming into the second-row alongside skipper Franco van der Merwe. 

The Exiles welcome Rob Baxter’s men to the Madejski on the back of last week’s impressive 35-5 victory at Harlequins, a result which has given Irish a fighting chance of preserving their top-flight status.

Piet van Zyl starts at scrum-half in an unchanged Irish backline, the South African having scored a brace against Harlequins last weekend. James Marshall retains the No. 10 jersey to complete the half back pairing.

Samoan international Ofisa Treviranus keeps his place at No. 8 and partners Max Northcote-Green in the back-row, the 24-year-old scoring the Exiles’ third try at The Stoop. Josh McNally moves to blindside flanker from the second-row.

Tom Fowlie’s bonus point try ensured that Irish took maximum points from Round 19, and he gets the nod at centre alongside fellow academy graduate Theo Brophy Clews. Another result of the London Irish production line, Johnny Williams, remains sidelined following a late withdrawal through injury from last Saturday’s starting XV.

A formidable back three sees Tommy Bell start at full-back following a successful outing on kicking duty last weekend, with Joe Cokanasiga and Alex Lewington occupying the wings. Ben Franks, David Paice and Ollie Hoskins make up an unchanged front row. 

“We played well against Harlequins and now we have to do it against the top team in England on Sunday,” said London Irish technical consultant Declan Kidney.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching Exeter play because they work hard for each other and I enjoy their style of play. The challenge for us is to meet that on Sunday and it will be an extreme test for us against the reigning champions, as they will be looking to get points out of this.”

London Irish: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Theo Brophy Clews, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 James Marshall, 9 Piet van Zyl, 1 Ben Franks, 2 David Paice, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Franco van der Merwe (c), 5 Sebastian De Chaves, 6 Josh McNally, 7 Max Northcote-Green, 8 Ofisa Treviranus

Replacements: 16 Dave Porecki, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Josh Basham, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Fergus Mulchrone, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma

Tickets for the game are available from £23 for adults and just £1 for under 13s by calling 0118 968 1016 or online at www.lidirect.co.uk.