Catt back for much-changed Irish

Published 29 Jan 2010 14:10 0 Comments

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LONDON Irish player/coach Mike Catt returns to the starting XV in a much-changed Exiles line-up for the Angle-Welsh Cup clash with Harlequins on Sunday.

The veteran back, pictured, will provide some vital experience for Toby Booth's side shorn of eight players due to international commitments and several others through injury.

The team for the Mad Stad clash with their botter rivals boasts 12 changes from last week's agonising Heineken Cup draw with Leinster, with full-back Peter Hewat captaining the side in the absence of Bob Casey.

Head Coach Booth said: "Irrespective of the competition, matches between Harlequins and London Irish are always entertaining and hard fought and I'm sure this one will be no different.

"There is no doubt that Quins will be looking to use this match as a way to kickstart their season and this is a threat we are well aware of.

"Our visitors are skilled in pushing the breakdown laws to the limit; ensuring that our contact skills remain first class will be key in determining the outcome of this match.

"We are fortunate to have a squad that has real strength in depth; the imminent arrival of the Six Nations and more Rugby World Cup qualifying matches provides us with the perfect platform to show what we are fully made of."

Team: 15 Peter Hewat (c), 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Peter Richards, 1 Dan Murphy 2 James Buckland, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Gary Johnson, 5 Andy Perry, 6 Kieran Roche, 7 Richard Thorpe, 8 George Stowers.

Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee, 17 James Tideswell, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 John Rudd, 22 Alfredo Lalanne, 23 Jamie Lennard.

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