L Irish v Leeds: Teams
London Irish chief Brian Smith expects a rough ride from "a courageous" Leeds outfit, despite Carnegie having already been relegated.
Last Updated: 02/05/08 2:58pm
London Irish chief Brian Smith is expecting a rough ride from "a courageous and talented" Leeds outfit, despite Carnegie having already been relegated.
Despite their heroics in this season's Heineken Cup, the Exiles are in danger of missing out on next season's competition.
Irish are current seventh in the table and eight points adrift of making in into the top six for a place in Europe's premier club competition for 2008-09.
And although Leeds already planning for life in National One next season, Smith is expecting few favours from the men in white.
"Have no doubt that Stuart Lancaster's team will be doing all in their power to prevent us taking the points on Sunday," said Exiles boss Brian Smith.
"Leeds are a courageous and talented side. They have faced adversity all season and they've just kept going which speaks volumes for their professionalism and character.
"Having tasted and enjoyed competing with the elite of Europe we want to repeat the experience as often as possible. If we're to do that next season then we need to win on Sunday afternoon.
"A win will enable us to travel to Sale next Saturday to play for sixth place and another crack at Europe."
Changes
Smith has made six changes to his line-up for the visit of Leeds, with Eoghan Hickey starting at fly-half, Tomas De Vedia coming in on the wing and Topsy Ojo switching to full-back.
In the pack, Clarke Dermody starts at loosehead, James Hudson comes into the second row and Richard Thorpe returns at No.8.
Leeds director of rugby Stuart Lancaster has a number of players back from injury for a game against "one of the best sides in Europe".
Tom Biggs, Adam Balding, Vili Ma'asi and Tommy McGee are all back for Carnegie, however Jon Dunbar, Rob Rawlinson, Lee Blackett, Richard Welding, Jonny Hepworth, Colin Noon and Michael Cusack are all still missing.
Fosi Pala'amo, Calum Clark, Rob Vickerman and Alberto Di Bernardo are also ruled out of the match, while Apo Satala is representing the Army against the Navy at Twickenham.
"London Irish present a formidable threat, as was clearly seen last week there are one of the best sides in Europe," said Lancaster.
"They achieved the semi-finals the hard way and were very close to making the Final. Credit should go to their coaching team of Brian Smith and Toby Booth and I am looking forward to catching up with Tony Stanger once again.
"They have huge motivation to get a result against us, they have had a taste the top level of European competition and know they have to win their last two games to achieve it; we also have plenty to play for as we build going forward so it promises to be a great occasion."
London Irish: 15 Topsy Ojo, 14 Tomas De Vedia, 13 Peter Richards, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Richard Thorpe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 James Hudson, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Peter Hewat, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Leeds Carnegie: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 John Holtby, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 James Brooks, 9 Joe Bedford, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Rhys Oakley, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 Tommy McGee, 2 Vili Ma'asi, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Adam Hopcroft, 17 James Parkes, 18 Erik Lund, 19 Danny Paul, 20 Darren Edwards, 21 Adam Greendale, 22 Scott Armstrong.