TEAM NEWS: Mulchrone back for Bath trip

Fergus Mulchrone returns to London Irish’s starting XV for tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership trip to Bath Rugby (kick-off 4pm).

Mulchrone, who is now just 10 appearances away from his 100^th outing, is one of six changes to the side that took on Saracens last week as the Exiles look to finish the season on a positive note.

England Under-20 winger Ben Loader makes his Aviva Premiership debut, the Berkshire-born flyer having already impressed during the Exiles’ European campaign, while there is also a start for scrum-half Scott Steele.

In the front-row Harry Elrington and Dave Porecki pack down, with Ben Franks and David Paice amongst the replacements. Paice will notch up his 290^th appearance if called upon from the bench, the most capped Exile of all time set to return to his native Brisbane after announcing his retirement from professional rugby.    

“We are already planning to return to the Aviva Premiership as soon as possible, and that starts with our performance against Bath,” said London Irish technical consultant Declan Kidney.

“It will be our last Premiership match for at least 16 months, so we are working hard to give our loyal supporters a good memory.”

London Irish: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Joe Cokanasigsa, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Fergus Mulchrone, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Theo Brophy Clews, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Dave Porecki, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Franco van der Merwe (c), 5 Sebastian De Chaves, 6 Josh McNally, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Ofisa Treviranus

Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Jack Cooke, 20 Josh Basham, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Johnny Williams, 23 Alex Lewington