London Irish v Dax: Teams
Exiles captain Bob Casey has admitted his side are determined to make amends for their 2006 heartbreak by winning the Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 11/12/08 4:10pm
London Irish captain Bob Casey has admitted his side are determined to make amends for their 2006 heartbreak by winning the European Challenge Cup.
The Exiles reached the final of the competition three seasons ago, only to come unstuck against Gloucester in extra time.
That defeat still rankles with Casey and his team - and they are determined to settle the record straight.
Having registered three bonus point wins in this season's tournament, Irish entertain Dax on Thursday night looking to close in on a place in the knockout stages.
Casey said: "We were devastated by that defeat (against Gloucester).
"It means going one better in the Challenge Cup this season than in 2006 - we want to win it.
"The objective is to keep going for maximum points in all three remaining pool games for the simple reason that after the pool stages seeding becomes all-important.
"It means the top two seeds can be at home in the quarter and semi-finals - if they keep on winning."
Impressed
The Exiles welcome back internationals Delon Armitage and Nick Kennedy for the return fixture after they were involved in England's game against the All Blacks.
Full-back Armitage, who impressed while away with England, starts against the French side, with lock Kennedy on the bench.
Head coach Toby Booth has made a number of changes from the side that won 38-0 away with Dan Murphy, James Buckland, James Hudson, Richard Thorpe, Peter Hewat and Alfredo Lalanne all starting.
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Charlie Gower, 11 Dominic Shabbo, 10 Peter Hewat, 9 Alfredo Lalanne, 8 Richard Thorpe, 7 Declan Danaher, 6 Kieran Roche, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 James Hudson, 3 Alex Corbisiero, 2 James Buckland, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 Nick Kennedy, 19 Gary Johnson, 20 James Bailey, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Dax: 15 Laurent Diaz, 14 Lucas Borges, 13 Florian Argel, 12 Gavin Williams, 11 Paul Albaladejo, 10 Antoine Vignau Tuquet, 9 Jean Baptiste Pezet, 8 Pierre Caillet, 7 Vincent Deniau, 6 Jannie Bornman, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Mickaël Bert, 3 Renaud Boyoud, 2 Yves Pedrosa, 1 Julien Brugnaut.
Replacements: 16 Nicolas Decamps, 17 William Bonet, 18 Anthony Mazel, 19 Cédric Guironnet, 20 Bastien Adrillon, 21 Nicolas Morlaes, 22 Duncan Bell.