London Irish v Northampton - Aviva Premiership match preview

Phil Dowson: Will skipper Saints in the absence of Dylan Hartley

George Skivington: Recalled to the Irish pack

London Irish recall George Skivington, Bryn Evans and Matt Garvey to the pack ahead for today's clash with table-toppers Northampton.

Director of Rugby Brian Smith is without skipper Declan Danaher so Evans will lead the side.

The other change sees the versatile Steven Shingler handed a start at full-back with Tom Homer missing out.

Phil Dowson will lead out Northampton as the Saints bid to extend their winning start to the new season to six matches.

With Dylan Hartley ruled out through injury Mike Haywood fills in at hooker, while Dowson packs down with fellow England back-rowers Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood.

London Irish: 15 S Shingler, 14 T Ojo, 13 J Joseph, 12 S Tagicakibau; 11 M Yarde, 10 I Humphreys 9 T O'Leary, 8 O Treviranus, 7 J Gibson, 6 M Garvey, 5 B Evans (c), 4 G Skivington 3 H Aulika, 2 D Paice, 1 M Lahiff. Replacements: 16 S Malton, 17 J Yanuyanutawa, 18 A Cotter, 19 K Low, 20 C Hala'ufia, 21 G Armitage, 22 S Geraghty, 23 J Moates.

Northampton: 15 J Wilson, 14 K Pisi, 13 D Waldouck, 12 L Burrell, 11 V Artemyev, 10 S Myler, 9 L Dickson, 8 P Dowson (c), 7 T Wood, 6 C Lawes, 5 M Sorenson, 4 S Manoa, 3 B Mujati, 2 M Haywood, 1 S Tonga'uiha. Replacements: 16 R McMillan, 17 A Waller, 18 P Doran Jones, 19 T Harrison, 20 R Oakley, 21 M Roberts, 22 R Lamb, 23 T May.

What they said...

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith

"Northampton have enjoyed a good start to the campaign. They are a quality team and this match will be a great test of our resolve and character.

"The last time we were at Madejski Stadium we played well and enjoyed a good win over Bath. We'll need to perform at the same level tomorrow to claim a win and I believe we can do that."

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder

"We have had a promising start to our season, but we know that if we lose concentration we will be in danger of losing our record.

"London Irish have plenty of danger in all areas of their team and their goal kickers will punish us if we lose our discipline in our own half.

"Last Friday's game against Wasps was just about our most complete performance of the season, and we will be looking to build on that tomorrow. We need to maintain control, impose ourselves and take our chances, and then we will have the result we want."

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