Declan Kidney has named the squad to take on Leicester Tigers in Round 18 of the Gallagher Premiership tomorrow at the Gtech Community Stadium (7:30pm kick-off).
Facundo Gigena, Mike Willemse and Lovejoy Chawatama combine in the front row, with Api Ratuniyarawa and Rob Simmons in the second row.
Juan Martin Gonzalez and Tom Pearson continue as the starting flankers, and Matt Rogerson captains the side in the number 8 jersey.
Joe Powell and Paddy Jackson are the halfback duo, and Rory Jennings continues his partnership with Benhard van Rensburg in the centres.
Ben Loader, Lucio Cinti and James Stokes complete the line up as the back three.
“Tomorrow night will be the first time that the Club has hosted a Saturday night fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium, and we are all excited about the prospect,” said Declan Kidney, Director of Rugby.
“Leicester come into the contest on the back of a good win against Saracens so we know we will have to be on our game for the whole 80 minutes.
“We are heading into an important block of matches, and it will be a whole squad effort to get the performances we and our supporters want.”
London Irish:
Fullback: 15 James Stokes,
Winger: 14 Lucio Cinti,
Centres: 13 Benhard van Rensburg, 12 Rory Jennings,
Winger: 11 Ben Loader,
Out half: 10 Paddy Jackson, Scrum half 9 Joe Powell,
Front Row: 1 Facundo Gigena, 2 Mike Willemse, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama,
Second Row: 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 5 Rob Simmons,
Back Row: 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Matt Rogerson (c).
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Oliver Hoskins, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Josh Caulfield, 21 Chandler Cunningham-South, 22 Hugh O’Sullivan, 23 Will Joseph.
🔦 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🔦
Here's our side for tomorrow's @premrugby clash with Leicester Tigers (7:30pm kick-off)!
💪 @MikeyWillemse_2 starts
👊 BVR at 13
🇦🇷 Lucio on the wing
Tickets 👉 https://t.co/EZ5FsD68pC pic.twitter.com/lDOJuW4mWX— London Irish (@londonirish) February 24, 2023