London Irish v Worcester - Teams
London Irish are looking to start a play-off charge against Worcester on Sunday.
Last Updated: 13/03/09 4:16pm
London Irish are looking to start a play-off charge in the Guinness Premiership fixture against Worcester Warriors on Sunday.
The Exiles, who currently sit sixth in the table but have not claimed a league win since January 3, make just one change to the back division that played during the 21-16 defeat to Wasps last time out.
Shane Geraghty is ruled out due to a broken bone in his left hand and is replaced by Tom Homer at full-back.
Danie Coetzee and Richard Skuse are handed starts alongside Clarke Dermody in the front row, while Richard Thorpe joins Declan Danaher and Chris Hala'Ufia in the back row.
Kieran Roche makes his comeback from injury among the replacements, where he is joined by Steffon Armitage, who was released from the England squad on Wednesday.
"When we played Worcester in the EDF Energy Cup last October we experienced at first hand what a big physical team they are," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth.
"They arrive at Madejski Stadium on Sunday afternoon buoyed by their recent win over Wasps.
"That victory made them safe from the threat of relegation which means they can enjoy their rugby. Mike Ruddock's teams like to play with ball in hand and they have the players to do so.
"We are expecting another entertaining and competitive match."
Morris chance
Worcester have included former Wales international prop Darren Morris for the trip to the Madejski Stadium.
Morris, who will be making just his second league start of the season, is one of three changes to the Warriors XV.
Scrum-half Ryan Powell and centre Hal Luscombe both come in, while Alex Grove was not considered for selection due to a stinger injury.
Youngsters Callum Black and Jonny Arr are named on the bench.
"Irish are a very well drilled side, one of the best in the league. It is going to be a tough afternoon but that is the league we are in," said Worcester assistant forwards coach Tony Windo.
"They have had a tough run but they have played top sides and picked up bonus points every time.
"They are by no means in a bad patch - they have just been on the wrong side of some tight games.
"We've looked at the last defeat and it has been a very positive week in training and the boys are upbeat.
"There are a few areas that we want to tighten up and what we have focused on is that we created a lot of chances.
"We made nine line breaks against Saints, they had less but took their chances.
"We have got to keep creating those chances and keep pushing to take them. We've got to eradicate our errors and then we will be in a good position to move on."
London Irish: 15 T Homer, 14 A Thompstone, 13 E Seveali'i, 12 S Mapusua, 11 S Tagicakibau, 10 M Catt (capt), 9 P Hodgson; 1 C Dermody, 2 D Coetzee, 3 R Skuse, 4 J Hudson, 5 G Johnson, 6 R Thorpe, 7 D Danaher, 8 C Hala'Ufia
Replacements: 16 T Lea'aetoa, 17 J Buckland, 18 K Roche, 19 J Fisher, 20 S Armitage, 21 P Richards, 22 E Hickey
Worcester: 15 C Latham, 14 R Gear, 13 H Luscombe, 12 D Rasmussen, 11 M Garvey, 10 W Walker, 9 R Powell; 1 M Mullan, 2 A Lutui, 3 D Morris, 4 G Rawlinson, 5 W Bowley, 6 Netani Talei, 7 P Sanderson (capt), 8 Kai Horstmann
Replacements: 16 C Black, 17 C Fortey, 18 G Kitchener, 19 J Collins, 20 J Arr, 21 J Carlisle, 22 M Benjamin