Debuts for Rudd and Drauniniu
London Irish have made two changes to the starting XV that defeated current champions’ Leicester Tigers last Saturday for this weekend’s local derby with Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership.
Both changes are in the backs where the Argentine international, Alfredo Lalanne starts at scrumhalf in place of Paul Hodgson who is with the England squad. The other change is on the right wing where John Rudd makes his first team debut having played and scored a try in an ‘A’ League match on Monday.
“This weekend’s round of matches brings the opening stage of this season’s Guinness Premiership to a close so our visit to the Stoop provides us with a chance to keep up with the early league leaders,” said Toby Booth, London Irish Head Coach.
“We know and respect the Harlequins players and coaching staff. They had an important away win last weekend and were unlucky to lose to Toulouse a fortnight ago, we are going to have to be at our best to come away with any points.”
With a handful of injuries and players on International duty, Quins fans will see a number of new faces in the starting 23 man team and a new captain in the form of flank, Chris Robshaw.
With Danny Care and Ugo Monye locked away with England, Steve So’oialo takes over the starting scrum-half role and Josh Drauniniu prepares to make his Premiership debut on the wing, after impressing in Monday’s A league game against Bath. The absence of the injured Nick Easter sees Tom Guest put on the No.8 shirt.
An injury picked by Nick Evans at Worcester means Rory Clegg also makes first start in the Quins shirt after his impressive form at Sixways.
First XV starts for Steve, Rory and Neil McMillan mean Karl Dickson, Seb Jewell and Chris York all make their Premiership debuts on the bench.
With the return of Gonzalo Tiesi to the starting line-up, George Lowe will also start on the bench.
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Nils Mordt, 11 Josh Drauniniu, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Steve So’oialo, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Neil McMillan, 6 Chris Robshaw (captain), 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 Mark Lambert, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Chris York, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Seb Jewell, 23 George Lowe.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 John Rudd, 13 Elvis Seveali’i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Alfredo Lalanne, 8 Chris Hala’Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 George Stowers, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 Kieran Roche, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Chris Malone, 22 Jamie Lennard, 23 Peter Richards.
Date: Saturday, October 31
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Time: 1500 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy
