L Irish v Toulouse: Teams

London Irish will face the biggest match in their history without player-coach Mike Catt.

The World Cup-winning back had been expected to line-up at fly-half to tackle Toulouse in the Heineken Cup semi-final on Saturday.

However Catt has failed to fully recover from the nerve problem that affects his calf.

That means England international Shane Geraghty will get to showcase his talents in the No.10 jersey, while Seilala Mapusua starts at inside centre.

Injuries have hit the Exiles hard at just the wrong point, with scrum-half Peter Richards filling in at outside centre.

And although captain Bob Casey knows that his side will have their work cut out to halt Toulouse, he remain confident of success.

Lethal

He said: "They are very strong at the breakdown, have fantastic half-backs and some lethal runners - even with the injuries they have had.

"We've been looking at footage of Toulouse all week and they're still a tremendous side. I just can't wait for the game now.

"It's a big challenge for us but we've been playing exceptionally well this season and it will take a good team to beat us.

"We're really confident in what we've been doing at London Irish over the last two or three seasons.

"We're building and have some really talented players ourselves. We're looking forward to showing European rugby what we're capable of.

"We're in new waters for London Irish but the great thing is we had that quarter-final against Perpignan.

"There was so much pressure on us going into that game because they were on the back of some great results and had a massive pack full of internationals.

"We really stood up to them, playing a controlled and disciplined game which will stand us in good stead for tomorrow. It was very satisfying."

Toulouse have injuries problems of their own with the dangerous Vincent Clerc the main absentee.

Blows

Coach Guy Novès has named Valentin Courrent and Thierry Dusautoir on the bench for the clash but both remain doubtful.

Half-back Courrent is struggling with a thigh strain, while Dusautoir, who buried his father on Tuesday, has been suffering from concussion.

Toulouse's problems at fly-half continue, with France scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde continuing to fill in while All Black Byron Kelleher starts at No.9.

"We are being hit by some bad blows at Toulouse at the moment," said Noves.

"The injury to Vincent Clerc; Thierry Dusautoir telling me at the start of the week about the death of his father. It meant the defeat in the league, to one of the best teams in France, pales into insignificance.

"That will not put into jeopardy our path to the semi-finals of the Top 14, and I remain convinced we have enough to win this match (against London Irish).

"We are staying positive."

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Peter Richards, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Phil Murphy, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 James Hudson, 19 Richard Thorpe, 20 Juan Leguizamon, 21 Nils Mordt, 22 Eoghan Hickey.

Toulouse: 15 Cedric Heymans, 14 Maxime Médard, 13 Manu Ahotaeiloa, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Yves Donguy, 10 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 9 Bryon Kelleher, 8 Shaun Sowerby, 7 Yannick Nyanga, 6 Jean Bouilhou, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Fabien Pelous (c), 3 Salvatore Perugini, 2 William Servat, 1 Daan Human.
Replacements: 16 Omar Hasan, 17 Alberto Basualdo, 18 Millo-Chluski, 19 Grégory Lamboley, 20 Thierry Dusautoir, 21 Vincent Courrent / Finau Maka, 22 Maxime Mermoz.