Amlin Challenge Cup match preview: London Irish still have faint hopes of qualification
London Irish have recalled winger Topsy Ojo for their final Amlin Challenge Cup group match against Bordeaux.
Last Updated: 19/01/13 2:37pm
Ojo replaces Anthony Watson and the rest of the back-line remains unchanged from last week's win over Mont-de-Marsan.
Shane Geraghty again captains the Exiles in their unlikely bid for qualification to the knockout stages.
In the pack George Skivington returns to the second-row to partner Matt Garvey who moves from flanker.
Chris Hala'ufia returns to the back-row where he will join Kieron Low and Jamie Gibson. The final switch up front sees prop Halani Aulika drop to the bench in place of Leo Halavatau.
Bordeaux Begles have altererd their half-backs and full-back following the defeat to Gloucester last time out.
Nicolas Sanchez and Baptiste Serin replace Camille Lopez and Julien Seron at fly-half and scrum-half, while Lachie Munro is replaced by Felix Le Bourhis in the No.15 jersey.
Hugh Chalmers takes the number seven shirt from Rohan Kitshoff for Bordeaux, who travel to the Madjeski Stadium trying to get their first win of the tournament.
London Irish: 15 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Guy Armitage, 12 Steven Shingler, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 Shane Geraghty (capt), 9 Jack Moates, 8 Alex Gray, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Kieran Low, 5 Matt Garvey, 4 George Skivington, 3 Leo Halavatau, 2 Brian Blaney, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Gerard Ellis, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 James Sandford, 20 Declan Danaher, 21 Alex Gray, 22 Anthony Watson, 23 Darren Allinson.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Félix Le Bourhis, 14 Rafael Carballo, 13 Charles Brousse, 12 Michel Denetre, 11 Thierry Brana, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Damien Larrieu, 7 Hugh Chalmers, 6 Gauthier Gibouin, 5 François Tisseau, 4 Andrew Chauveau, 3 Nicolas Descamps, 2 Hikairo Forbes, 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Replacements: 16 Fabien Rofes, 17 Franck Labbe, 18 Tamato Leupolu, 19 Yassin Boutemane, 20 Louis Madaule, 21 Camille Lopez, 22 Julien Seron, 23 Carolis Navickas,
What they said...
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith
"This is our first home game in 2013 and tomorrow gives our young squad another opportunity to maintain momentum against Bordeaux.
"They're a very good French team, running Gloucester to the wire at home last weekend. It will be a very physical encounter so you should see plenty of bump from both sides."