London Irish v Wasps: Teams
London Irish boss Toby Booth is hoping his side can strengthen their top-four claims when they tackle Wasps on Saturday.
Last Updated: 25/11/11 1:23pm
![Toby Booth: Back in Premiership action](https://e2.365dm.com/11/06/660x350/toby-booth-harlequins-coach-2011_2607179.jpg?20110607160946)
London Irish boss Toby Booth is hoping his side can strengthen their top-four claims when they tackle Wasps on Saturday.
The Exiles currently sit in third in the standings - however Wasps are on of a number of teams hot on their heels, with just eight points separating nine teams.
And Booth admitted: "It is good to be back to Aviva Premiership action. It is currently very close between quite a few sides so we will continue to play competitively and hope to come away with a result and maintain our play-off position."
Booth has made four changes to his line-up with Jonathan Spratt, Paul Hodgson, James Buckland and Jamie Gibson handed starts. There is also a place on the bench for new signing Ofisa Treviranus.
Team spirit
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young believes Saturday's match is the start of a crucial spell for his club.
"This is obviously a massive game for us and this next period of five games will really shape our season," said Young.
"We understand the threat that London Irish pose to us. Despite only winning three games, they have scored a lot of points, which has given them the bonus points to put them at third in the table.
"It was evident from last weekend's game against Cardiff that, even with 14 men, they could have won that game, and there is obviously a great team spirit there for them to put out those kind of performances."
Young has made a number of changes for the match with Tom Varndell and Christian Wade named on the wings, while Elliot Daly partners Dom Waldouck in a new-look midfield.
The other changes come in the front row with props Ben Broster and Tim Payne starting. Hooker Rob Webber retains his place - with the Yorkshireman set to make his 100th appearance for the club.
London Irish:15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 Jonathan Spratt, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Ross Samson, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Matthew Garvey, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 James Buckland, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Alex Corbisiero, 19 James Sandford, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Anthony Watson, 22 Adrian Jarvis, 23 Ross Samson.
Wasps: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Dom Waldouck, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Nick Robinson, 9 Nic Berry, 8 John Hart (c), 7 Matt Everard, 6 Richard Birkett, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Zak Taulafo, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Richard Haughton.