Albert Tuisue hits 50 for Exiles against Exeter Chiefs

David Skippers

Albert Tuisue of London Irish during European Champions Cup between London Irish and Cardiff Blues at Brentford Community Stadium , Brentford, UK on 02nd April 2021 (Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)

Declan Kidney has confirmed the side to take on Exeter Chiefs in in their Premiership Rugby clash against Exeter Chiefs on Tuesday evening.

The Exiles will welcome the return of supporters for the first time since early December for the Round 19 clash against the reigning European and Premiership champions.

Albert Tuisue is set to make his 50th appearance for London Irish, having scored 16 times in 49 appearances since joining the Exiles in January 2019.

In the front-row, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Agustin Creevy and Lovejoy Chawatama combine, with Chunya Munga and Rob Simmons partnering in the second-row.

Matt Rogerson captains the side from blindside flanker, and is joined in the back-row by Ben Donnell and Tuisue.

Nick Phipps and Paddy Jackson are the half-back duo, as Phil Cokanasiga and Curtis Rona wear the 12 and 13 jerseys respectively.

London Irish academy graduates form the back three, with Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ben Loader and Tom Parton all starting.

Four changes for Exeter

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has made four alterations to his starting line-up which beat Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on Saturday, May 8.

With England and British Lions star Jack Nowell set for another spell on the sidelines after hobbling out of the Worcester game with a MCL injury, Baxter’s sole change to his back division sees the Cornishman replaced by the returning Alex Cuthbert.

Up front, England internationals Ben Moon and Harry Williams take over from Alec Hepburn and Tomas Francis, whilst Jannes Kirsten returns to the second-row alongside Sean Lonsdale, who was a late call-up before the last game after Jonny Gray withdrew from the action in the warm-up.

Form: London Irish have lost their last three Premiership Rugby matches since their 36-33 win against Bath at Brentford Community Stadium in Round 15. The Exiles were defeated by Harlequins in their most recent match at their new home, only their second defeat at Brentford this season. Exeter Chiefs’ only defeat in the last seven rounds of Premiership Rugby was 34-18 at Gloucester on 26 March. The Chiefs’ three away defeats in Premiership Rugby this season were at Wasps in Round 5, Sale in Round 11, and Gloucester in Round 15. London Irish have won just one of their last seven encounters with Exeter: 22-19 at Sandy Park in September 2020.

The teams:

London Irish: 15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Phil Cokanasiga, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Ben Donnell, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Chunya Munga, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
Replacements: 16 Matt Cornish, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 George Nott, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Jacob Atkins, 23 James Stokes

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Sean Lonsdale, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Tom Price, 20 Richard Capstick, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Ian Whitten

Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45 BST (18:45 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant Referees: Adam Leal, Roy Maybank
TMO: Sean Davey