[www.london-irish.com]

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London Irish have made three changes to the starting line-up for Saturday’s game against Newcastle Falcons (kick-off 3pm at the Madejski Stadium) with Max Northcote-Green coming in at number 7, Scott Steele making a start at scrum-half and Johnny Williams in the centres.

London Irish: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 James Marshall, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 3 Petrus du Plessis, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 6 Mike Coman (c), 7 Max Northcote-Green, 8 Ofisa Treviranus

Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Sebastian De Chaves, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Theo Brophy Clews, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma

I think it’s a poor decision to have Theo on the bench, he won’t change a game for you and we already have two tens on the pitch. Someone like ransom is who you need on the bench.

Can't understand why Bell and Cowan aren't in the 23. Nick Kennedy must have a good reason for playing Du Plessis but it is NOT based on his performances to date. Not sure of the benefits of TBC on the bench.

Not overly confident of a win but will attend and cheer the boys.

Quote:

paulm1953
Can't understand why Bell and Cowan aren't in the 23. Nick Kennedy must have a good reason for playing Du Plessis but it is NOT based on his performances to date. Not sure of the benefits of TBC on the bench.
Not overly confident of a win but will attend and cheer the boys.

Bell is injured (back / hip injury)

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I'd rather be a Paddy then a Quin!!

C'mon the boys in Green!!

And Cowan is in the 23...

Assume he either has a slight niggle or they are managing his workload a little.

Personally think it's the best team we've named for a number of weeks
Could be a good decision to rest Cowan as he's played a he'll of a lot so Northcote green should bring a lot of energy to the team.
Back line looks exciting and if it clicks we might finally score some tries! For the people disappointed in bell not being in the squad, have you not watched him over the last month or so? He's in a bad run of form and a break might do him good.

Slightly disappointed to see petrus starting but having said that the scrum was very solid last week so hopefully the same again

Quote:

Hugo.LI
Personally think it's the best team we've named for a number of weeks
Could be a good decision to rest Cowan as he's played a he'll of a lot so Northcote green should bring a lot of energy to the team.
Back line looks exciting and if it clicks we might finally score some tries! For the people disappointed in bell not being in the squad, have you not watched him over the last month or so? He's in a bad run of form and a break might do him good.

Slightly disappointed to see petrus starting but having said that the scrum was very solid last week so hopefully the same again

Reid and PDP have easily provided the most solid scrum platform this season. I realise PDP isn't the most dynamic but he has been better all round recently than at the start of the season.

Reid made a massive difference to the scrum last week - making it look strong even with the ineffectual du Plessis on the other side.

That back 5 in the forwards certainly won’t lack for work-rate and tackle count.

Steele brings pace to our game.


Just hope the backs spark and Williams remembers to tackle Socino this time round.

Quote:

Blarney
Reid made a massive difference to the scrum last week - making it look strong even with the ineffectual du Plessis on the other side.
That back 5 in the forwards certainly won’t lack for work-rate and tackle count.

Steele brings pace to our game.


Just hope the backs spark and Williams remembers to tackle Socino this time round.

If PDP had been ineffectual in the scrum Reid being there would have made no difference, instead the platform was solid. Unfortunately when looking at the scrum in isolation, Franks , AB or not, has been the weak point IMHO.