Exiles return to Premiership action

Sportsdesk • Published 10 Feb 2010 12:00 0 Comments

TOBY Booth's London Irish side will turn their attention back to the Guinness Premiership this Sunday.

And the wounded Exiles will be going all-out for the win when Bath visit the Madejski Stadium, following disappointing European and domestic cup exits over the last month.

Irish bowed out of the Heineken Cup three weeks ago and the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Saturday, leaving the Premiership as their only hope for silverware this season.

And following last season's grand final appearance, the Exiles latest set-backs have only made them more determined to go one better this year.

Irish will again be without their England contingen meaning Delon Armitage and Paul Hodgson will be missing in the back division and Steffon Armitage and David Paice are unavailable in the forwards.

Elsewhere Samoan winger Sailosi Tagicakibau looks set to return to the starting XV after being rested for last Saturday's cup trip to Worcester. And his compatriot Seilala Mapusua is also expected to feature despite being replaced after only 20 minutes in that match.

Prop Paulica Ion is again unavailable because of Romania's World Cup qualifier against Germany, but other than that and the long-term injuries to Adam Thompstone, Declan Danaher and Alex Corbisiero, Irish should be at full strength.

Bath were given a boost earlier this week when talented former rugby league centre Shontayne Hape, hooker Lee Mears and ex London Irish Academy winger Matt Banahan were all released from the England Elite squad.

The trio are almost certain to start in what will be a strong Bath side on Sunday.

Irish came out on top 16-0 when the sides met at the Rec three months ago, but Bath have won two in a row in Reading.

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