Double blow ahead of champions trip

Sportsdesk • Published 3 Mar 2010 16:00 0 Comments

LONDON Irish have been hit by a double injury blow ahead of Saturday's trip to reigning Guinness Premiership champions Leicester.

Samoan winger Sailosi Tagicakibau and experienced Kiwi prop Clarke Dermody are both ruled out for the visit to Welford Road. And it could be some time before either one of them dons the Exiles shirt again.

Tagicakibau was thought to have been recovering well from an ankle injury that has seen him play just twice in the last four months, and at one stage last week was even expected to feature in Sunday's win over Quins.

However a precautionary scan at the tailend of last week revealed that the Exiles' top try-scorer needed an operation. And it now appears unlikely he will play again this season.

Dermody - who recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Exiles - has been struggling with a back injury and also went under the knife last Friday. This makes him another serious doubt for the rest of the season.

It is not all bad news for the Exiles ahead of a difficult trip to the Midlands, though.

Fellow prop Paulica Ion is available again after playing for Romania last weekend, which goes some way towards softening the blow of the loss of Dermody in the front row.

And England Elite squad member Paul Hodgson has also been made available, which should stop a repeat of last week's injury chaos at scrum half.

Late injuries to Peter Richards and Alfredo Lalanne and Ben Stevenson's commitment to play on loan for London Welsh, forced Toby Booth to give fly half Ryan Lamb the number nine jersey against Quins.

However, Saturday should see Hodgson return at scrum half, with Stevenson available to take his place on the bench.

Hodgson's England teammate Delon Armitage limped off during last weekend's Six Nations defeat against Ireland with a bruised rib and will not be available for the trip to Leicester.

Elsewhere there should be few changes for the Irish after a much-improved display last time out.

Last weekend the Tigers were well-beaten 19-3 at Northampton. But with their England contingent back and on their own ground they represent formidable opponents for the Exiles.

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