Planet Rugby

Preview: London Irish v Exeter Chiefs

23rd November 2012 10:34

darren allinson london irish exeter chiefs

Starter: Darren Allinson

Tom Homer will start at full-back for London Irish when they take the field against Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday.

Chris Hala'ufia and Bryn Evans also return to the starting line-up after being rested against Leicester Tigers in the LV=Cup.

"We have eight players away on international duty and another eight of our first team squad are injured so Sunday will be a real test of our playing resources at present," said London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith.

"Exeter are having a very good run this season and have become a genuine force in the Premiership and Europe; so it will be a tough challenge but one we will be prepared for."

Exeter Chiefs return to Aviva Premiership action this weekend with head coach Rob Baxter calling on his side to "show their ambition" at the Madejski Stadium.

Those included on the bench are prop Hoani Tui, who has now recovered fully from his hamstring injury; flanker Tom Johnson, who was released from England duty earlier this week; and Fijian powerhouse Sireli Naqelevuki who is also back from international duty.

Form: London Irish have won just one of their last four games: 34-28 at home to Sale in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The Exiles have won four of their last five contests at Madejski Stadium in all competitions. Exeter Chiefs have won their last three fixtures in all competitions, but are yet to be victorious on the road in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season. The Chiefs claimed a maiden victory over London Irish last season with their 18-11 win at Sandy Park in March.

The teams:

London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Darren Allinson, 8 Chris Hala'ufia, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Declan Danaher (c), 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Matt Garvey, 3 Leo Halavatau, 2 Brian Blaney, 1 Max Lahiff.
Replacements 16 Gerard Ellis 17 Richard Palframan, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Conor Gaston, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Jack Moates.

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Phil Dollman, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 James Hanks, Tom Hayes (c), 3 Carl Rimmer, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements 16 Simon Alcott, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Hoani Tui, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Sireli Naqelevuki.

Date: Sunday, November 25
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Alan Hughes
Timekeeper: John Burtenshaw
Assessor: Gary Welsh

Comments

Be the first to comment on this story..


Character Count : 0/1900

Forthcoming Fixtures
FixtureDetails
All times are local
Heineken Cup
Saturday , May 18
Clermont Auvergne vs ToulonClermont Auvergne vs Toulon Preview
More Heineken Cup fixtures
Super Rugby
Saturday , May 18
Waratahs vs BrumbiesWaratahs vs Brumbies Preview
Bulls vs HighlandersBulls vs Highlanders Preview
Cheetahs vs RedsCheetahs vs Reds Preview
Friday , May 24
Chiefs vs Crusaders08:35
Melbourne Rebels vs Waratahs10:40
More Super Rugby fixtures
Recent Results
FixtureDetails
All times are local
Super Rugby
Saturday , May 18
Crusaders 23 - 3 BluesCrusaders vs Blues Report
More Super Rugby results
Amlin Challenge Cup
Friday , May 17
Stade Francais 13 - 34 LeinsterStade Francais vs Leinster Report
More Amlin Challenge Cup results
Super Rugby
Hurricanes 12 - 17 ChiefsHurricanes vs Chiefs Report
Melbourne Rebels 30 - 21 StormersMelbourne Rebels vs Stormers Report
Western Force 13 - 23 SharksWestern Force vs Sharks Report
More Super Rugby results
Aviva Premiership
Sunday , May 12
Saracens 13 - 27 NorthamptonSaracens vs Northampton Report
Saturday , May 11
Leicester 33 - 16 HarlequinsLeicester vs Harlequins Report
More Aviva Premiership results
RaboDirect PRO12
Leinster 17 - 15 GlasgowLeinster vs Glasgow Report
More RaboDirect PRO12 results
Top 14
Castres 25 - 12 MontpellierCastres vs Montpellier Report
More Top 14 results
Super Rugby
Blues 36 - 32 Melbourne RebelsBlues vs Melbourne Rebels Report
Waratahs 21 - 15 StormersWaratahs vs Stormers Report
Southern Kings 34 - 27 HighlandersSouthern Kings vs Highlanders Report
More Super Rugby results
RaboDirect PRO12
Friday , May 10
Ulster 28 - 17 ScarletsUlster vs Scarlets Report
More RaboDirect PRO12 results
Top 14
Toulouse 33 - 19 Racing Metro ParisToulouse vs Racing Metro Paris Report
More Top 14 results
Super Rugby
Chiefs 22 - 21 Western ForceChiefs vs Western Force Report
Cheetahs 34 - 39 HurricanesCheetahs vs Hurricanes Report
Reds 32 - 17 SharksReds vs Sharks Report
Sunday , May 5
Brumbies 23 - 30 CrusadersBrumbies vs Crusaders Report
More Super Rugby results
Aviva Premiership
Saturday , May 4
Leicester 32 - 20 London IrishLeicester vs London Irish Report
London Welsh 33 - 22 WorcesterLondon Welsh vs Worcester Report
Exeter 40 - 39 GloucesterExeter vs Gloucester Report
Harlequins 22 - 19 NorthamptonHarlequins vs Northampton Report
Saracens 23 - 14 BathSaracens vs Bath Report
Sale 21 - 20 WaspsSale vs Wasps Report
More Aviva Premiership results
Top 14
Biarritz 52 - 17 Stade Francais
More Top 14 results