London Irish v Northampton: Teams
The Madejski Stadium will host its biggest Guinness Premiership attendance this year when London Irish entertains Northampton on Sunday
Last Updated: 20/03/09 1:16pm
The Madejski Stadium will host its biggest Guinness Premiership attendance this year when London Irish entertains Northampton in Sunday's St. Patrick's Celebration fixture.
The Exiles have make only one change to the starting line-up from last weekend's five-try, bonus point-win over Worcester, with Steffon Armitage in at openside flanker and Declan Danaher moving to blindside.
David Paice is named among the replacements having completed his suspension, while Mike Catt captains the team.
"On Sunday afternoon we play an in-form Northampton Saints team that has just recorded their first away win in the Premiership," said Exiles Head Coach.Toby Booth.
"They are a well coached, talented team that likes to play attractive rugby.
"With over 20,000 in the stadium it will be a cracking atmosphere in which both teams will want to perform to their best."
Big atmosphere
Meanwhile, Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder wants his team to continue their recent good momentum from Reading.
Northampton head to the Madejski for Round 18 on the back of two successive wins, including a first away Guinness Premiership win of the season at Worcester Warriors a fortnight ago.
Although Guinness Premiership safety is assured, Mallinder says that there is plenty for the players to strive for, not least another away win.
"We've shown we can play away now and it's time to push on and show that the Worcester game was not a one-off," he said.
"There will be a big atmosphere at the Majedski Stadium on Sunday and we want to perform well in front of a packed stadium and TV audience at home.
"We will have our work cut out against London Irish, who have an exciting team with some great players.
"They have been one of the teams that has set the standard in the Guinness Premiership this season and have an excellent scoring record.
"Their forwards have produced good ball every game and out wide the strike runners are always a threat.
"Their centres Seilala Mapusua and Elvis Seveali'I in particular have had good seasons and Mike Catt has shown his quality and experience many times during the campaign.
"However we have played well recently and against Sale we put our game plan into action and reaped the rewards.
"We've won two Guinness Premiership matches on the trot and want to keep that momentum going until the end of the season."
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Mike Catt (captain), 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Gary Johnson 4 James Hudson, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 David Paice, 18 Kieran Roche, 19 Jonathon Fisher, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Eoghan Hickey.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Bruce Reihana (capt), 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 James Downey, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Barry Everitt, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Mark Easter, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Barry Stewart, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Tom Smith, 18 Alex Rae, 19 Mark Hopley, 20 Stephen Myler, 21 Chris Mayor, 22 Paul Diggin.