GP preview - Leeds v London Irish

Phil Davies has named four of his new signings in the starting line up for the Tykes against London Irish in the Guinness Premiership's Twickenham double header on Saturday.

Justin Marshall set for Premiership debut

Chris Jones and Roland De Marigny form a new partnership in the centres, and scrum-half Justin Marshall and hooker Gordon Bulloch also make their full debuts for Leeds.

The 22-man squad contains 12 players who played in the Tykes' last visit to Twickenham when they won the Powergen Cup against Bath back in April.

There are two new faces on the bench as well, with James Isaacson and Nathan Thomas amongst the replacements whilst teenager Danny Care could make his Premiership debut off the bench after two appearances in the European Shield last season.

Iain Balshaw has overcome a facial injury he suffered in the last pre-season game against Edinburgh and will make his first appearance for the Tykes since the Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham.

"I have been very pleased with our new players that have arrived in the close season and extremely happy with the existing players who have not only made the new players feel part of the squad, but also shown a desire to improve their standards from last season," said coach Phil Davies.

"We have also been able to draw in a number of our very talented Academy players to the first team squad, and I feel the squad has a really good balance to it now."

"I can’t wait for the season to start! I’m sure every Director of Rugby and coach is in the same boat and really looking forward to the start of the new campaign.  It’s the time of year when everyone starts with zero on the table and everything in front of you is still in your own hands."

London Irish have also called upon several new faces for the Twickenham tussle, with four of the summer signings included in the squad.

Olivier Magne and Ben Willis are named at blindside flanker and scrum half respectively, while prop Michael Collins and back row Juan Manuel Leguizamon are on the bench. 

Shane Geraghty, the 18-year-old Academy player who has performed so well in the pre-season trials, is among the replacements.  Mike Catt captains the team for this match in the absence of Ryan Strudwick.

"Saturday is a big day for all of us and we are looking forward to our first competitive match," said Director of Rugby Brian Smith.

"Our form in the pre-season trials has been good.  We are developing in attack and are aware that we have a long way to go.  Our defence has been sound yet we know it will have a stern examination on Saturday.

"Leeds is a strong, physical team and we will face a real battle up front.  We are well prepared and know that we will have to score some tries if we are to win."

Form:

The Tykes have won their last four Premiership matches: their best ever run in the competition. Leeds were also victorious on their only previous visit to Twickenham when they beat Bath 20-12 in last season’s cup final.

London Irish featured in last season’s Twickenham double header where they defeated Harlequins 18-12 in a miserable game.

The Exiles have won just one of their past half a dozen matches in the Premiership, 25-20 and again  over Harlequins at the Stoop in April.

The two sides met on three occasions in all competitions last campaign with the Tykes winning all
three: 16-12 at the Madejski and 16-5 at Headingley in the Premiership and 15-6 in the cup semi-final, also at Headingley.

Prediction: Harder to pick than a broken nose this one, but Leeds have added just a little more top-level class to their team. Leeds by two points.

Leeds Tykes: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Andre Snyman, 13 Chris Jones, 12 Roland De Marigny, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Jon Dunbar, 7 Richard Parks, 6 Scott Morgan, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 Gavin Kerr, 2 Gordon Bulloch, 1 James Isaacson.
Replacements: 16 Michael Cusack, 17 Rob Rawlinson, 18 Chris Murphy, 19 Nathan Thomas, 20 Danny Care, 21 Tim Stimpson, 22 David Doherty.

London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Rodd Penney, 12 Mike Catt (captain), 11 Justin Bishop, 10 Barry Everitt, 9 Ben Willis, 1 Neal Hatley, 2 Robbie Russell, 3 Rob Hardwick, 4 Bob Casey, 5 Kieran Roche, 6 Olivier Magne, 7 Kieron Dawson, 8 Phil Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Michael Collins, 17 Adrian Flavin, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 Ryan Strudwick, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Paul Hodgson, 22 Shane Geraghty.

Kick-off: 16:20, 15:20 GMT
Referee: Sean Davey
Touch judges: Bob Mullis, Roger Baileff
Assessor: Ed Morrison
Timekeeper/television match official: John Burtenshaw