Preview: London Irish v Leeds
London Irish welcome home their Heineken Cup heroes for Sunday's Guinness Premiership match against Leeds Carnegie at the Madejski Stadium.
London Irish welcome home their Heineken Cup heroes for Sunday's Guinness Premiership match against Leeds Carnegie at the Madejski Stadium.
Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau, who received wide acclaim for their try-scoring contributions in last week's loss to Toulouse, will be hoping for a repeat contribution as Irish seek the points that will keep their hopes for qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup alive.
At present London Irish are in seventh place in the table and need to finish in sixth to secure a place at Europe's top table.
The Exiles make a total of six personnel and one positional change to the team that started at Twickenham last weekend.
Eoghan Hickey starts at fly-half with Tomas De Vedia comes in on the right wing as Ojo switches to fullback. Clarke Dermody starts at loosehead prop with James Hudson coming into the second row, and Richard Thorpe returns at the base of the scrum.
“Have no doubt that Stuart Lancaster's team will be doing all in their power to prevent us taking the points on Sunday,” said Exiles boss Brian Smith.
“Leeds are a courageous and talented side. They have faced adversity all season and they've just kept going which speaks volumes for their professionalism and character.
“Having tasted and enjoyed competing with the elite of Europe we want to repeat the experience as often as possible. If we're to do that next season then we need to win on Sunday afternoon.
“A win will enable us to travel to Sale next Saturday to play for sixth place and another crack at Europe.
“We're not at full strength – Delon Armitage (foot), 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 give of their best in front of our home supporters for the final time this season.”
Meanwhile, Leeds Carnegie have been given a boost ahead of their trip with a number of players returning from injury for Sunday's trip to Reading.
Tom Biggs, Adam Balding, Vili Ma'asi and Tommy McGee have all been cleared to return however Stuart Lancaster will still be without Jon Dunbar, Rob Rawlinson, Lee Blackett, Richard Welding, Jonny Hepworth, Colin Noon and Michael Cusack on the long term injured list.
Fosi Pala'amo (hamstring), Calum Clark (back), Rob Vickerman (hamstring) and Alberto Di Bernardo (knee) all picked up their injuries in the defeat at Gloucester but could be in contention for next Saturday's game against London Wasps at Headingley Carnegie. Apo Satala is away with the Army, who play the Navy at Twickenham.
“London Irish present a formidable threat, as was clearly seen last week there are one of the best sides in Europe,” said Leeds boss Stuart Lancaster.
“They achieved the semi-finals the hard way and were very close to making the Final. Credit should go to their coaching team of Brian Smith and Toby Booth and I am looking forward to catching up with Tony Stanger once again.
“They have huge motivation to get a result against us, they have had a taste the top level of European competition and know they have to win their last two games to achieve it; we also have plenty to play for as we build going forward so it promises to be a great occasion.”
Form: London Irish have won their last three matches in the Guinness Premiership since losing 16-19 at Bath on 22 March. The Exiles have won 11 of their last 12 outings at Madejski Stadium in all competitions. Leeds Carnegie have suffered three straight defeats in the Guinness Premiership and have not won an away game in the Premiership since a 16-12 win at Bath on 25 November 2005. London Irish have beaten Leeds in each of their last three encounters. Leeds have not won in Reading since a 16-12 victory in the Premiership on 16 October 2004.
London Irish: 15 Topsy Ojo, 14 Tomas De Vedia, 13 Peter Richards, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 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 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Peter Hewat, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Leeds Carnegie: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 John Holtby, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 James Brooks, 9 Joe Bedford, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Rhys Oakley, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 Tommy McGee, 2 Vili Ma'asi, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Adam Hopcroft, 17 James Parkes, 18 Erik Lund, 19 Danny Paul, 20 Darren Edwards, 21 Adam Greendale, 22 Scott Armstrong.
Date: Sunday, 4 May
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Sean Davey
Touch judges: Bob Mullis, David Kurk
Assessor: Paul Bridgman
Television match official: Brian Abrahams