EDF Energy Cup - : Six Exiles make their first start of the season

James Bailey - first start of the season

Six Exiles make their first start of the season

3 October 2008, 12:46 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Six players will make their first start of the season for London Irish in the club's EDF Energy Cup match with Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Sunday (kick-off is at 3.00pm).

James Bailey and James Buckland who start at full back and hooker respectively, will make their debuts for the Exiles. Those making their first start of the season include Tomas De Vedia on the right wing, Shane Geraghty at inside centre, Dan Murphy at loose head prop and Declan Danaher at open side flanker. Captain Bob Casey leads a strong pack in which he is partnered in the second row by Gary Johnson.

All Black prop, Clarke Dermody is named among the replacements having recovered from an arm injury incurred in pre-season training.

The match also provides the first opportunity of the season to see a possible England Elite Squad pairing of Peter Richards and Shane Geraghty in action.

"We're resting some players that have played in all of our recent Premiership fixtures and are giving an opportunity to players to push for a place in the squads for our upcoming European Challenge Cup matches with Rovigo and Connacht," said Toby Booth, London Irish Head Coach. "Some of the fresh faces are players coming back from injury - in particular, it's good to see Shane Geraghty making his first start of the season and Clarke Dermody on the bench. This match provides a big opportunity for all these players and we're confident they'll want to show what they're capable of.

"We have enormous respect for Worcester and their fighting spirit and we're expecting another serious test on Sunday. Mike Ruddock gives his
teams the freedom to play an expansive game so we should see some good rugby from both teams," Booth concluded.

Team:
15. James Bailey; 14. Tomas De Vedia; 13. Elvis Sevealii; 12. Shane Geraghty; 11. Adam Thompstone; 10. Eoghan Hickey; 9. Peter Richards; 1. Dan Murphy; 2. James Buckland, 3. Tonga Lea'aetoa/Faan Rautenbach; 4. Gary Johnson; 5. Bob Casey (captain); 6. Jonathon Fisher; 7. Declan Danaher; 8. Richard Thorpe .

Replacements:
16. Clarke Dermody; 17. James Clarke; 18. Faan Rautenbach; 19. Steffon Armitage; 20. Dominic Shabbo; 21. Tom Parker; 22. Charlie Gower.

A decision on the starting line-up in the front row will be taken when the outcome of fitness tests on the players concerned is known later today.