Bordeaux-Begles v London Irish - Amlin Challenge Cup preview

Chris Hala¿ufia (R): Restored to the London Irish line-up

Guy Armitage: Will make his first start of the season for London Irish

London Irish have handed starts to both Guy Armitage and Chris Hala'ufia for Saturday's Amlin Challenge Cup trip to Bordeaux-Begles.

Armitage is back with the Exiles on a season-long loan having departed the club earlier in the summer to join brothers Delon and Steffon at Toulon.

He will now make his first start for the club since returning as he lines up in the centres with England intrenational Jonathan Joseph at Stade Andre Moga.

Number eight Hala'ufia - who received an 11-week ban after a high tackle against Racing Metro in European competition last season - also makes his first start of the campaign as he lines up in the visitors' back row with Ofisa Treviranus and Jamie Gibson.

Bordeaux head into the match after a poor start to the season domestically, the French outfit are currently second bottom of the Top 14 standings having managed just two so far.

They were beaten on their home patch by Toulouse last time out, but London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith is still expecting a tough encounter.

"Playing away to a Top 14 side is always a challenge," stated Smith. "Bordeaux lost narrowly to Toulouse last weekend and will be a tough opponent at home.

"We were delighted with the way we performed last weekend against Northampton and it is important we build on that performance tomorrow evening."

Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Darly Domvo, 14 Avesini Vasuinubu, 13 Charles Brousse, 12 Michel Denetre, 11 Thierry Brana, 10 Lachie Munro, 9 Julien Seron, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Rohan Kitshoff, 6 Gauthier Gibouin, 5 François Tisseau, 4 Carolis Navickas, 3 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Fabien Rofes, 1 Hikairo Forbes.
Replacements: 16 Stéphane Fort, 17 Franck Labbe, 18 Yassin Boutemane, 19 Andrew Chauveau, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Damien Larrieu.

London Irish: 15 Steven Shingler, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Guy Armitage, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Chris Hala'ufia, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Matthew Garvey, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 David Paice, 1 Max Lahiff.
Replacements: 16 Brian Blaney, 17 Richard Palframan, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Declan Danaher, 21 Alex Gray, 22 Anthony Watson, 23 Jack Winter-Moates.

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