Preview: London Irish v Harlequins
Peter Richards returns to the starting line-up of the London Irish team that plays Harlequins in Saturday's Guinness Premiership match at Madejski Stadium.
Peter Richards returns to the starting line-up of the London Irish team that plays Harlequins in Saturday's Guinness Premiership match at Madejski Stadium.
The return of the England international at outside centre against one of his former clubs provides a welcome boost for London Irish as they prepare for a busy month of action in the Premiership and Heineken Cup.
Richards is one of four personnel and three positional changes that the Exiles make to the starting line-up of the team that played away at Newcastle last weekend. In the front row Dan Murphy starts at loosehead prop with David Paice coming in at hooker. Richard Thorpe moves to number eight to allow Steffon Armitage to start at openside flanker.
Among the backs Shane Geraghty moves to fly half with Seilala Mapusua taking over at inside centre. Richards makes his first start since injuring his left arm in the Heineken Cup game with Treviso in January.
“Harlequins have competed well through the season, finding a good run of form just when it matters,” said Brian Smith, London Irish Director of Rugby.
“We've great respect for what they've achieved and admire the way they've given their talented, young players the chance to perform in the Premiership. Dean Richards is an experienced Director of Rugby and coach, he has added the steel that Quins have been looking for for some time and it has made a big difference.
“We're not at full strength – Delon Armitage (foot), Clarke Dermody (leg), Warren Fury (ankle), Nick Kennedy (foot), Kieran Roche (neck), Dominic Shabbo (leg), Richard Skuse (neck) and Gonzalo Tiesi (ankle) are missing, but we are confident that the team will perform well.
“In the best traditions of sporting neighbours, friends and rivals, matches between our two clubs are always keenly contested and I'm sure tomorrow's final 'London Derby' match of the season will be no different.”
Meanwhile, Harlequins' Director of Rugby, Dean Richards, has made four changes to his starting line-up which defeated Leeds last Sunday.
David Strettle will return to the starting XV, on the wing, for the first time since receiving an injury playing for England in the 6 Nations. He will join his England team mate Nick Easter, replacing Tom Guest, who will start on the bench.
In the centres, Tosh Masson will return from injury to start alongside Ugo Monye, while in the front row Gary Botha comes back in to join Ceri Jones and Mike Ross, putting Tani Fuga on the bench.
On the bench, Steven So'oialo and Chris Malone both return into the 22 man team.
London Irish are also doing their bit for the 'Tackled Pink Weekend' in aid of Breast Cancer Care. Ticket prices have been reduced for ladies and there will be a special ladies-only pampering area in the Princess Suite at the Stadium.
Form: London Irish have won their last three matches in all competitions, and have lost just once in their last eleven games at Madejski Stadium. Harlequins are gunning for their best ever Premiership finish (previously 4th in 1998/99) and have lost only once in their last eight Guinness Premiership encounters since January: 25-29 at Wasps on 9 March. The two teams have already met at Madejski Stadium this season with Harlequins winning 10-8 in the EDF Energy Cup in October. Prior to that they had clashed in the opening weekend of the Guinness Premiership at Twickenham with 'Quins again victorious 35-27.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Peter Richards, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Richard Thorpe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 James Hudson, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Juan Leguizamon, 21.Nils Mordt, 22 Eoghan Hickey.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Ugo Monye, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Tom Williams, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 John Brooks, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Steven So'oialo, 21 Chris Malone, 22 De Wet Barry.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Chris White
Touch judges: Stuart Terheege, Peter Huckle
Television match official: Matt Peters, Graham Huges