Booth expects a tough test at Leeds
Leeds Carnegie have made five changes to the side that lost to Worcester last Friday for the visit of last season’s Guinness Premiership runners up London Irish to Headingley Carnegie this Sunday.
Two of those changes come in the backline with 21-year-old centre Luther Burrell set to make his first appearance for the first team since May 2008 and Scott Armstrong started this week after being a replacement in the opening two games of the season.
Injuries to Rob Rawlinson and captain Marco Wentzel have forced two changes in the forwards with Vili Ma’asi and Jon Pendlebury coming into the starting line up whilst Juan Gomez will make his first appearance of the season in place of Tommy McGee.
Toby Booth meanwhile, following his sides 40-10 drubbing of Gloucester, says he is hoping his team can continue their good form up against a determined Carnegie side.
“Any team coached by two former Leicester stalwarts will certainly present a tough challenge as it will reflect the proven techniques that those coaches are used to,” said the London Irish Head Coach.
“As for ourselves we have to ensure that we improve on what we produced last Sunday if we are to be successful.”
The Exiles make four changes to the team that played at Madejski Stadium. The complete front row is rotated as Faan Rautenbach, James Buckland and Dan Murphy make the starting line-up for the first time this season.
Peter Hewat takes over at fullback following the injury to Delon Armitage last Sunday. Chris Malone is named among the replacements for the first time since joining the club in July.
The Exiles’ have won their last four encounters with Leeds.
Leeds Carnegie have won just once in the Guinness Premiership since October 2007: 16-15 at home to Newcastle on 21 March 2008. Leeds are undefeated in their last 17 matches in all competitions at Headingley Carnegie since Wasps won there (45-28) on 10 May 2008.
London Irish had a convincing 40-10 victory over table-topping Gloucester at Madejski Stadium on Sunday and have won their last two matches they have played on opposition soil: 32-15 at Worcester and 17-0 at Harlequins.
The teams:
Leeds: 15 Jon Goodridge, 14 Richard Welding, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Scott Armstrong, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 AlfieTo’oala, 7 Hendrie Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Jon Pendlebury (captain), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Juan Gomez, 2 Vili Ma’asi, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Alex Moreno, 18 Tommy McGee, 19 Calum Clark, 20 Danny Paul, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Henry Paul, 23 Jonny Hepworth.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Elvis Seveali’i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagickibau, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala’Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 James Buckland, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 David Paice, 18 Paulica Ion, 19 Andy Perry, 20 George Stowers, 21 Chris Malone, 22 Peter Richards, 23 Alfredo Lalanne.
Date: Sunday, September 20
Venue: Headingley Carnegie
Time: 15.00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Rob Debney
Assistant referees: Martin Buck, Alan Hughes
TMO: Trevor Parlett
