Hodgson makes welcome return

Published 5 Mar 2010 12:50 0 Comments

PAUL Hodgson has eased the London Irish scrum-half problems after being named in the Exiles' side to face Leaicester tomorrow.

Ryan Lamb had to don the number nine jersey against Quins last weekend, with all four regular scrum-halves unavailable.

But having been released from duty with the England EPS for the Six Nations, Hodgson, pictured, returns to Irish's 23-man squad for tomorrow's visit to the current Guinness Premiership champions (5.30pm ko).

Hodgson is one of three personnel and one positional changes to the starting XV from the Exiles' team that played Harlequins last weekend.

The 27-year-old's return sees Lamb revert to his usual fly half role.

Elsewhere John Rudd comes into the team on the right wing in place of the injured Topsy Ojo, while James Buckland starts at hooker in the final change.

London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth said: "It was great to get a good win in front of our home crowd at the Madejski Stadium last Sunday.

"What was especially pleasing was the nature of the victory, not just the victory itself. We were dominant in so many areas that we go into the Leicester match with a lot of self belief.

"Leicester are top of the table at the moment, but we've made significant improvements in recent weeks, and this will be a great opportunity to measure that improvement."

Team: 15 Tom Homer; 14 John Rudd; 13 Elvis Seveali'i; 12 Seilala Mapusua; 11 Peter Hewat; 10 Ryan Lamb; 9 Paul Hodgson; 1 Dan Murphy; 2 James Buckland, 3 Faan Rautenbach; 4 Nick Kennedy; 5 Bob Casey (c); 6 George Stowers; 7 Steffon Armitage; 8 Chris Hala'Ufia.

Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee; 17 Max Lahiff; 18 Paulica Ion; 19 Kieran Roche; 20 Jamie Gibson; 21 Chris Malone; 22 Mike Catt; 22 Jamie Lennard.

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