L Irish v Harlequins: Teams

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith has opted to rest some of his key players for the visit of Harlequins in the EDF Energy Cup - however Peter Richards returns to the starting XV.

Richards, a former Quins player, comes in at scrum-half just days after appearing in the World Cup final against South Africa.

And the inclusion of the 29-year-old is one of four changes made by Smith, with Tim Curran making his debut at full-back after moving from the ACT Brumbies. Nils Mordt also comes into the centres, while Steffon Armitage starts at openside flanker.

Smith told the club's official site: "This Sunday we're resting some players where we have to so our team has a core of regular starters plus a number of fresh faces.

Enthusiasm

"Some of the new faces are players coming back from injury and others are 'new blood'. The 'new blood' will bring added enthusiasm and will be surrounded by plenty of experience. It's a big opportunity for these boys and we're confident they'll front up.

"Peter Richards has made himself available for the clash - it's a great effort by him only seven days after playing in the Rugby World Cup final. We're all looking forward to seeing him back in our colours."

South African cente De Wet Barry will make his Harlequins debut for the visit to London Irish.

The former Stormers star only began training with Quins this week, however he comes straight into the side along with fly-half Adrian Jarvis and second row James Percival.

Dean Richards has made a number of changed to his line-up with Dave Strettle moving to full-back, John Brooks replacing Ceri Jones at loosehead prop, Nicholas Spanghero joining Percival in the second row and captain Paul Volley returning to the back row.

London Irish: 15 Tim Curran, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Delon Armitage, 12 Nils Mordt, 11 Tomas De Vedia, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Peter Richards, 1 Dan Murphy, 2 David Paice, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey (c), 6 Kieran Roche, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Phil Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Tom Warren, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Declan Danaher, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Jeremy Staunton.

Harlequins: 15 David Strettle, 14 Simon Keogh, 13 De Wet Barry, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Danny Care, 1 John Brooks, 2 Chris Brooker, 3 Mike Ross, 4 James Percival, 5 Nicolas Spanghero, 6 Paul Volley, 7 Will Skinner, 8 Chris Hala'ufia.
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Ricky Nebbett, 18 Ollie Kohn, 19 Phil Davies, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Chris Malone, 22 Jordan Turner-Hall.