Ojo returns for group decider

Published 22 Jan 2010 13:04 0 Comments

Share this

Topsy Ojo makes his first appearance of the season for London Irish against Leinster in the Exiles' crucial Heineken Cup clash at Twickenham tomorrow.

ENGLAND winger Topsy Ojo makes his long-awaited return to Exiles action for tomorrow's crunch Heineken Cup clash with Leinster at Twickenham (6pm ko).

Ojo's return is one half of a massive double boost for London Irish as they look to defy the odds and pip Leinster to top spot in Group Six.

For while Ojo will make his first appearance of the season on the right wing, Pacific Islands international Sailosi Tagicakibau has recovered from the foot injury he suffered in the Autumn internationals to take his place on the left flank.

The wingers are two of the three changes the Exiles make to the team that started the defeat against Scarlets last weekend.

The other change sees Chris Malone take over at fly half from Ryan Lamb, who drops to the replacements bench.

There are no changes to the forwards, where flanker Steffon Armitage, who made his 100th senior appearance for the club last Sunday, will lead the team out at Twickenham. Bob Casey captains the team against the province for whom he played before joining the Exiles.

London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth said: "We're relishing the challenge of playing Leinster tomorrow. Wherever you look on their teamsheet you see the names of great players with both experience and ability.

"Performing on the big stage that is Twickenham is something our players are used to. In the last two years we've played there in two London Double Headers, a semi-final of the Heineken Cup and a Guinness Premiership Final.

"That cumulative experience matters when it comes to important matches like tomorrow's. Our players have prepared well in training this week and are looking forward to the match.

Team: 15 Delon Armitage; 14 Topsy Ojo; 13 Elvis Seveali'i; 12 Seilala Mapusua; 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau; 10 Chris Malone; 9 Paul Hodgson; 1 Clarke Dermody; 2 David Paice; 3 Faan Rautenbach; 4 Nick Kennedy; 5 Bob Casey (c); 6 Richard Thorpe; 7 Steffon Armitage; 8 Chris Hala'Ufia.

Replacements: 16 James Buckland; 17 Dan Murphy; 18 Paulica Ion; 19 Gary Johnson; 20 Kieran Roche; 21 Peter Hewat; 22 Peter Richards; 23 Ryan Lamb.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle