Injury-ravaged Exiles seek revenge on Pau
London Irish will hope they can overcome their injury problems when they face Pau in the European Challenge Cup second round at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.
Scott Staniforth has shin splints and is out of action. Also unavailable through injury are Kieron Dawson, Adrian Flavin, Neal Hatley, Michael Horak, Peter Poulos and Richard Skuse.
As a result London Irish makes six changes to the starting line-up of the team that played in Pau last Saturday.
Three of the changes are in the backs where Rodd Penney makes his first team debut at outside centre.
Mark Mapletoft and Mike Catt are set to resume their partnership at inside centre and out half, assuming Catt continues to recover from the calf muscle injury he sustained against Bath.
In the pack Pierre Durant and Nick Kennedy start at tight head prop and in the second row respectively.
Head Coach Gary Gold said: “I expect Pau to bring back some key players that were rested last weekend. We will not go into the game with any ridiculous tactics. Our focus is on scoring tries and playing the game better than the opposition. That way we will progress in this important competition.”
London Irish (v Pau Sunday, 2.30pm):
15. Delon Armitage; 14. Paul Sackey; 13. Rodd Penney; 12. Mark Mapletoft; 11. Justin Bishop; 10. Mike Catt; 9. Paul Hodgson; 1. Doug Wheatley; 2. Robbie Russell; 3. Pierre Durant; 4. Ryan Strudwick (captain); 5. Nick Kennedy; 6. Paul Gustard; 7. Declan Danaher; 8. Phil Murphy.
Replacements:
16. Rob Hardwick; 17. David Paice; 18. Kieran Roche; 19. Bob Casey; 20. Nils Mordt; 21. Darren Edwards; 22. Barry Everitt.
