London Irish Head Coach, Tom Coventry, has selected Scotland internationals Blair Cowan and Sean Maitland in his matchday 23 to face Exeter at Sandy Park in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday 24 October (kick off 6pm).

The starting XV sees two changes to the side that lost out to Leicester last week. Tom Smallbone comes in for Tom Court at loosehead prop alongside David Paice and Halani Aulika in the front row.

The back five remained unchanged, with Captain George Skivington and Matt Symons in the second row with Jebb Sinclair, Luke Narraway and Rob McCusker making up the back row.

Brendan McKibbin and Chris Noakes link up once more at scrum half and fly half respectively, with Eoin Griffin and Tom Fowlie named in the midfield.

The other change comes in the back row, with Fijian international Aseli Tikoirotuma starting on the wing, with Topsy Ojo moving to full back and Alex Lewington named on the other wing.

London Irish Head Coach, Tom Coventry, said: “We have welcomed a number of players into the group this week who have been away on World Cup duty and this gives us a chance to add their experience into our squad.  The players have trained hard and worked on elements of our game that we were disappointed with against Leicester. Exeter are a top side and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

London Irish side to face Exeter Chiefs:

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Alex Lewington; 13. Tom Fowlie; 12. Eoin Griffin; 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma*; 10. Chris Noakes; 9. Brendan McKibbin; 1. Tom Smallbone; 2. David Paice*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. George Skivington (Captain); 5. Matt Symons; 6. Jebb Sinclair*; 7. Luke Narraway*; 8. Rob McCusker*

Replacements:  16. Gerard Ellis; 17. Tom Court*; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19. Eoin Sheriff; 20. Blair Cowan*; 21. Scott Steele; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Sean Maitland*

*Denotes International

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Phil Dollman; 14 Jack Nowell; 13 Henry Slade; 12 Ian Whitten; 11 James Short; 10 Gareth Steenson (captain); 9 Will Chudley; 1 Ben Moon; 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie; 3 Tomas Francis; 4 Mitch Lees; 5 Damian Welch; 6 Dave Ewers; 7 Don Armand; 8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements:  16 Jack Yeandle; 17 Alec Hepburn; 18 Moray Low; 19 Geoff Parling; 20 Julian Salvi; 21 Dave Lewis; 22 Sam Hill; 23 Olly Woodburn

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