L Irish v Rovigo: Teams
London Irish's attention turns from domestic competition to European club rugby this weekend as they host Rovigo.
Last Updated: 10/10/08 4:35pm
London Irish's attention turns from domestic competition to European club rugby this weekend as they host Rovigo.
Having made the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup last season they will be out to return to the top table courtesy of winning this tournament.
The side named by coach Toby Booth is unchanged from that which was fielded in their last Guinness Premiership game.
"Last season all of us connected with London Irish - players, management, directors and supporters, enjoyed the Heineken Cup experience and want to return to that tournament so that we can relive what was a special adventure," said Booth.
"That is one objective we've set ourselves this season, the other is to win silverware. Performing well in the European Challenge Cup and winning it is one route to fulfilling two of our objectives."
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Peter Hewat, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 Nick Kennedy 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 James Buckland, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Declan Danaher, 20 Adam Thompstone, 21 Peter Richards, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Rovigo: 15 Nicola Pavin, 14 Juan Pablo Sanchez, 13 Gabriel Pizarro, 12 Emanuel Pellegrini, 11 Stefan Basson, 10 Stefano Ambrosio, 9 Stefano Canale, 8 Ron Cribb, 7 Jacobus Immelman, 6 Simone Favaro, 5 Marco Barion, 4 Tomasso Reato, 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 2 Valerio Vicere, 1 Bruno Fortuna.
Replacements: 16 Andrea De Marchi, 17 Luke Mahoney, 18 Daniele Tumiati, 19 Niccola Badocchi, 20 Younes Anouer, 21 Andrea Bacchetti, 22 Pablo Calanchini.
