MadStad

By Leipziger
February 11 2011

Tomorrow is only our Falcons’ third Premiership game since the end of November, but it is a vital one.  With London Irish out of form and Leeds hosting Leicester on Sunday, we have a golden chance to put some breathing space between ourselves and the Cardigans.

Irish recently lost ten matches in a row ahead of beating Ospreys in the Heineken Cup, but despite that and a home win over Northampton in the LV= Cup two weeks ago they have still lost 12 of their last 14 games, including six in a row in the league.

The Exiles’ last Premiership victory was at home to Sale on 31 October, a thrilling match that saw 65 points and six tries.  Irish got the bonus point in a 39-26 victory, and two-try hero Jonathan Joseph is someone we will need to be wary of in Reading tomorrow.

Our boys should know that though after the 19-year-old winger also crossed twice at KP in the reverse fixture in September.  That is the only league game I have missed in over five years, it was probably the best one to miss.

Fortunately for us Delon Armitage will be missing after failing in an appeal against a suspension for pushing and abusing a drugs official.

I believe I’m right in saying the Madejski Stadium has been our most profitable away ground in the Premiership era, with five wins.  The first of those was against Richmond in the 1999 Tetley’s Cup semi-final, before victories over Irish in 2001, 2003, 2006 and last season.  We have had some close calls there over the years, such as in November 2004 when Irish won thanks to a late Paul Hodgson try, but also a few shockers, including two nillings in December 2002 and September 2007.

Both of our last two wins in Reading have seen superb controlling games from our fly-halves, Dave Walder in 2006 and Jimmy Gopperth in November 2009, suggesting that position may be pivotal again tomorrow.

Gopperth again partners Micky Young despite the want-away scrum-half’s shocker on Sunday, and James Hall makes a well-deserved first Premiership start, as does Andrew van der Heijden. Rob Vickerman is on the bench for the first time in a while.

15 Jeremy Manning

14 Luke Fielden

13 Luke Eves

12 Tane Tu'ipulotu

11 Alex Tait

10 Jimmy Gopperth

9 Micky Young

1 Jonny Golding

2 Matt Thompson

3 James Hall

4 James Hudson

5 Andrew Van der Heijden

6 Tim Swinson

7 Will Welch

8 Ally Hogg

16 Rob Vickers

17 Kieran Brookes

18 Grant Shiells

19 Filipo Levi

20 Mark Wilson

21 Hall Charlton

22 Rob Vickerman

23 Gcobani Bobo

Don’t forget everyone it’s a 12.30pm kick-off tomorrow – I hope I won’t get to the commentary box and find Kev and Smithy half-asleep!