With 9,800 tickets already sold for the game with a day to go, the Falcons promotion drive for this “Friday Night Live” game looks like it might deliver our first sell-out of the season, in a game against popular opponents who have done well up north in recent seasons.

In fact we have only won two of our last five home games against the Exiles, losing twice in 2002/03 (24-16 in the Premiership and then 17-16 in the Cup) and again the league match 2003/04 15-16, although we fought through a blizzard to knock Irish out of the Cup 24-12.  Then on the final day of last season we won our only home game since February 6^th, triumphing 23-16.

Currently in seventh place in the league table with 16 points, Irish now have three successive wins behind them after beating Pau and Parma in Europe and then demolishing Bath on Saturday at the Madejski Stadium thanks to four tries from Phil Murphy, Scott Staniforth, Mike Catt and Riki Flutey, as well as 16 points from the latter’s boot.  Prior to the European start, Irish had won only two of seven games this year, at home to Bristol and at Twickenham against Leeds in the Premiership, losing to Worcester, Sale, Northampton and to Wasps and Saracens in the Powergen Cup.

Perennially a mid-table side, Irish as usual made a host of signings in the summer, such as Michael Collins (prop from Waikato), Dominic Feau’nati (wing, Samoa), Juan Leguizamon (no.8, Argentina), Olivier Magne (back row, Clermont), Faan Rautenbach (prop, Stormers), Richard Skuse (Bristol), Danie Coetzee (hooker, Blue Bulls), James Storey (centre, Munster), Ben Willis (scrum half, Beziers), Riki Flutey (fly half, Hurricanes).

French star Magne was their most high-profile signing, and will be missing on Friday due to national duty.  Other internationals amongst that lot include Samoan Feau’nati and Rautenbach and Coetzee of South Africa, while Leguizamon played for Argentina against the Lions in May.  They add to World Cup winner Mike Catt, Scotsman Robbie Russell, Australian Staniforth, Michael Horak of England and Irish internationals Bob Casey, Justin Bishop and Kieran Dawson.  Ryan Strudwick is the Exiles’ club captain, and lifted the only national trophy in the club’s history in 2002 when they won the Powergen Cup.

We will be bolstered on Friday by the temporary return of Colin Charvis from Wales, whilst Joe Shaw will look to continue his return from injury.  However, against a side known for their physicality and strength, much might depend on the fitness of Mark Mayerhofler, Anthony Elliott and Andy Long, as our small three-quarter line was exposed against Gloucester whilst at hooker Matt Thompson would have to last (and throw!) the whole game.

Nevertheless, a team with any sort of ambition, and ours right now must be to get away from any ensuing relegation battle, must be looking to win their home games and after the start to the season we’ve had, a defeat against Irish would be an indication of serious problems.  But with a full crowd behind us, we should be more than capable of a good win.

Teams are, starting with our visitors:-

15. Michael Horak
14. Delon Armitage
13. Rodd Penney
12. Mike Catt (capt)
11. Justin Bishop
10. Riki Flutey
9. Ben Willis

1. Neal Hatley
2. Danie Coetzee
3. Faan Rautenbach
4. Bob Casey
5. Nick Kennedy
6. Kieran Roche
7. Declan Danaher
8. Phil Murphy

Replacements:

16. Michael Collins
17. Robbie Russell
18. Ryan Strudwick
19. Paul Gustard
20. Dominic Feau'nati
21. Paul Hodgson
22. Barry Everitt

and then our Falcons:-

15 Matthew Burke
14 Tom May
13 Mathew Tait
12 Toby Flood
11 James Hoyle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9 James Grindal

1 Grant Anderson
2 Andy Long
3 Robbie Morris
4 Geoff Parling
5 Andy Buist
6 Owen Finegan
7 Ben Woods
8 Colin Charvis (captain)

Replacements:

16 Micky Ward
17 Matt Thompson
18 Tino Paoletti
19 Mike McCarthy
20 Jason Smithson
21 Lee Dickson
22 Dave Walder

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