London Irish v Quins: Teams
England reject Steffon Armitage returns to boost London Irish against Harlequins on Saturday.
Last Updated: 13/02/09 3:40pm
England reject Steffon Armitage returns to boost London Irish for Saturday's Guinness Premiership London derby Madejski Stadium.
Armitage's return to the Exiles' back row is especially welcome as the club's selection options are diminished by international call-ups and injury.
London Irish have Delon Armitage, Shane Geraghty, Paul Hodgson and Nick Kennedy with England in Cardiff, Bob Casey on duty with Ireland A in Dublin and Declan Danaher, Dan Murphy, Faan Rautenbach and Kieran Roche unavailable through injury.
However, Mike Catt captains a starting XV that features 10 full internationals with considerable experience.
Argentine international Alfredo Lalanne replaces Paul Hodgson at scrum-half while Peter Richards makes a welcome return from injury to cover him on the bench.
The replacements also include another talented player emerging from the club's successful Academy, Matthew Garvey.
The 21-year-old second row has played for England Students.
"Tomorrow's visitors are less affected by international call-ups than ourselves and will provide formidable opposition," said London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth.
"The club has a squad of real quality as anyone that saw their wins over Stade Français in the Heineken Cup will confirm.
"Not only are there top class individual players in key positions, they also have a back row that features Saxons players that are among the best in the country.
They push the laws to the limit and we - and the referee, need to be mindful of the threat they will pose."
Meanwhile, Quins fans will welcome the return of Ugo Monye, who will be in Dean Richards' starting line-up for this weekend's clash between two old rivals.
Quins will see three changes to the team that ran out against Northampton Saints. Monye will join Tom Williams on the wing, with David Strettle moving to the bench.
With Mike Ross playing for Ireland A on Friday, the only other change is Mark Lambert who replaces the Irishman in the front row, allowing a space for Chris Brooker on the bench.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Mike Catt(c), 9 Alfredo Lalanne, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 James Hudson, 4 Gary Johnson, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Alex Corbisiero, 17 James Buckland, 18 Matthew Garvey, 19 Jonathon Fisher, 20 Charlie Gower, 21 Peter Richards, 22 James Bailey
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (ca), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mark lambert, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Neil Mcmillan, 20 Jnr Polu, 21 Chris Malone, 22 David Strettle.