Declan Kidney has named the side that will welcome Bristol Bears to the Gtech Community Stadium for Round 15 of the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Will Goodrick-Clarke, Mike Willemse and Lovejoy Chawatama form the front row, with Chunya Munga and Rob Simmons in the second row. Simmons is set to captain the side from the five jersey.
Josh Basham, Tom Pearson, and Matt Rogerson combine as the back row trio.
Ben White and Paddy Jackson are the halfback duo, and Benhard van Rensburg links up with Luca Morisi in the centres.
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
Here's our side for Sunday's @premrugby clash with Bristol Bears!
Let's go 😤 #LIRvBRI
Tickets 👉 https://t.co/EZ5FsD5AA4 pic.twitter.com/dhEJTTTzR6— London Irish (@londonirish) January 6, 2023
Ollie Hassell-Collins and Lucio Cinti are confirmed on the wings and Ben Loader returns to wear the 15 shirt.
“Bristol Bears are a good side who keep possession well, so we know we will have to be on our toes for the whole 80 minutes,” said Declan Kidney.
“If you look at the average points scored in our last few encounters, Sunday has all the makings of a good game of rugby.
“We are excited to be back at home for the second time this week and want to put in a performance that our supporters are proud of.”
London Irish:
Full back: 15 Ben Loader,
Winger: 14 Lucio Cinti,
Centres: 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Benhard van Rensburg,
Winger: 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins,
Scrumhalf 10 Paddy Jackson, Out half 9 Ben White,
Front row: 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Mike Willemse, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama,
Second Row: 4 Chunya Munga, 5 Rob Simmons (c)
Back Row: 6 Josh Basham, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Matt Rogerson.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Oliver Hoskins, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21 Chandler Cunningham-South, 22 Joe Powell, 23 Rory Jennings.
