London Irish v Leinster team news:Bernard Jackman and CJ van der Linde return to the Leinster line-up for tomorrow evening's crunch meeting with London Irish. Coach Michael Cheika has rejigged his front row, with Stan Wright and John Fogarty making way, in an otherwise unchanged side.
With the Leinster selection going down familiar lines – the inclusion of Jackman and van der Linde will beef up the scrum - the real team news emanates from London where Toby Booth has made a couple of eye-catching changes.
Requiring a bonus point win to have any chance of overtaking Leinster at the top of Pool Six (Leinster must also be denied a losing bonus point), the London Irish coach has gambled out wide.
With tries (and plenty of them) a must, Booth has recalled wingers Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau in a bid to exploit Twickenham’s wide open spaces.
Ojo has not played a single minute all season since undergoing surgery in the summer while Tagicakibau makes his first appearance in almost three months. The flying Samoan fractured an ankle on October 31st but has trained for the last week and been entrusted with a berth on the left wing.
Chris Malone will also start in the pivotal number 10 role with Ryan Lamb losing out after an indifferent effort at the Scarlets last time out. Exiles’ captain Bob Casey is included in the starting line-up but a question mark hangs over his involvement as he struggles to overcome a back injury.
Booth, who was pragmatic about his side’s prospects in the wake of last week’s shock reverse, was somewhat more upbeat this morning.
“We’re relishing the challenge,” he said. “Performing on the big stage that is Twickenham is something our players are used to.
“In the last two years we’ve played there in two London double headers, a semi-final of the Heineken Cup and a Premiership Final. That cumulative experience matters when it comes to important matches like tomorrow evening’s.
“Our players have prepared well in training this week and are looking forward to the match.”
London Irish v Leinster
Twickenham, Saturday 23rd, kick-off 6pm
London Irish:Delon Armitage; Topsy Ojo, Elvis Seveali'I, Seilala Mapusua; Sailosi Tagicakibau; Chris Malone, Paul Hodgson; Clarke Dermody; David Paice; Faan Rautenbach; Nick Kennedy; Bob Casey (captain); Richard Thorpe, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala'Ufia. Replacements:James Buckland, Dan Murphy, Paulica Ion; Gary Johnson, Kieran Roche, Peter Hewat, Peter Richards; Ryan Lamb.
Leinster:Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, CJ van der Linde; Leo Cullen (captain), Nathan Hines; Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip Replacements:John Fogarty, Mike Ross, Stan Wright, Malcolm O'Kelly, Sean O'Brien, Paul O'Donohoe, Shaun Berne, Girvan Dempsey