London Irish v Bath: Teams
Samoan World Cup centre returns for London Irish, while David Flatman makes long-awaited return for Bath.
Last Updated: 04/10/07 2:09pm
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith is confident his side can bounce back to winning ways - despite having only five days to prepare for the clash.
The Exiles crashed to a 14-11 defeat against Bristol on Sunday, giving them limited preparation time for Friday's visit of Bath.
Irish will be boosted by the return of Samoan centre Seilala Mapusua after his country's exit from the World Cup.
However, Smith knows his side are in for a tough evening's work.
He told the club's official site: "Bath arrive in Reading having enjoyed a good start to their season.
"To make things a little more challenging for us we've only had five days to sort ourselves out after a very physical match.
"It's not ideal preparation but I'm confident that we'll strike back after last weekend's setback.
Experience
"Seilala Mapusua returns to our team having played well for Samoa during the Rugby World Cup.
"His experience and physical presence will be a great boost to our young backline and we're looking to him to play a decisive role in midfield."
Mapusua's inclusion at outside centre is one of five changes made by the Exiles, with Eoghan Hickey handed his Premiership debut at fly-half, Tonga Lea'aetoa named in the front row, Steffon Armitage coming in on the openside and Richard Thorpe moving to No.8.
Bath welcome England international David Flatman back to their starting line-up for the first time since November 2006.
The powerful prop had been sidelined with a shoulder injury, however he is back to full fitness and raring to go.
Bath coach Steve Meehan also hands Nick Walshe a first start of the campaign with scrum-half rivals Michael Claassens dropped to the bench.
Danny Grewcock and Peter Short will pair up in the second row, while Zak Feaunati captains the side from No.8.
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Nils Mordt, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 9 Paul Hodgson, 1 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 David Paice, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey, 6 Declan Danaher, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Richard Thorpe.
Replacements: 16 Tom Warren, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Dan Murphy, 19 James Hudson, 20 Kieran Roche, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Mark Ireland.
Bath: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Andy Higgins, 13 Tom Cheeseman, 12 Shaun Berne, 11 Ian Davey, 10 Ryan Davis, 9 Nick Walshe, 1 David Flatman, 2 Pieter Dixon, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Peter Short, 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 Zak Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 David Barnes, 18 Paulica Ion, 19 Daniel Browne, 20 Michael Lipman, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Nick Abendanon.