London Irish 2016/17 Championship Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

  Welcome to this seasons thread for talking about all things London Irish. 

Senior Squad (39)

Technical Director: Brendan Venter
Director of Rugby: Nick Kennedy
Assistant Coach: Clark Laidlaw
Forwards Coach: George Skivington
Defence Coach: Declan Danaher
Skills Coach: Paul Hodgson

Hooker: David Paice, Gerard Ellis, David Porecki, Jason Harris-Wright, Todd Gleave (dual registered with Rosslyn Park).
Prop: Tom Court, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Smallbone, Ben Franks, Richard Palframan, Ollie Hoskins.
Second Row: Sebastien de Chaves, Jerry Sexton, Jebb Sinclair, George Robson, Will Lloyd.
Back Row: Blair Cowan, Ofisa Treviranus, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen, Joe Trayfoot, Mike Coman, Max Northcote-Green, Senitiki Nayalo.
Scrum Half: Brendan McKibbin, Scott Steele, Darren Allinson (on loan to Bath).
Fly Half: Greig Tonks, Tommy Bell, Theo Brophy-Clews.
Centre: Johnny Williams, Fergus Mulchrone, Ciaran Hearn, Tom Fowlie
Back Three: Topsy Ojo, Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoirotuama, James Marshall, Ben Ransom


Senior Academy Squad (12)

Hooker: Matt Kouris (dual registered with Esher)
Prop: Harry Elrington (dual registered with Rosslyn Park), Austin Hay (Academy Plus)
Back Row: Isaac Curtis-Harris (dual registered with Esher), Jack Cooke (Academy Plus)
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy, Rory Brand (dual registered with Rosslyn Park)
Fly Half: Tom Parton
Centre: Ross Neal, Matt Williams
Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Jacob Atkins


Fixture List

Date	Time	Opponents	H/A	Venue	Competition	Result	Scorers
Sat 13th Aug	15:00	Harlequins	A	The Stoop	Friendly	W 28-12	T: Cowan, Neal, Nayolo, Atkins  C: Bell 3, Tonks.
Fri 19th Aug	19:30	Nottingham	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 43-14
Fri 26th Aug	19:30	Loughborough Students	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 46-21
Sat 3rd Sep	15:00	Doncaster Knights	H	MadStad	Championship	W 19-0	T: Fowlie, Tikoroituma  P: Bell 3.
Sat 10th Sep	15:00	Richmond	H	MadStad	Championship	W 36-12	T: Paice, Cowan 2, Ellis, McKibbin, Elrington. C: Bell 3.
Sat 17th Sep	15:00	Bedford Blues	A	Goldington Road	Championship	W 30-23	T: Franks, Williams, Ojo, Northcote-Green. C: Bell 2. P: Bell 2.
Sun 25th Sep	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	H	MadStad	Championship	W 32-12	T: Ransom, Trayfoot, Marshall, Steele C:Bell, Marshall 2 P:Bell 2.
Fri 30th Sep	19:45	Nottingham	A	LadyBay Sports	Championship	W 29-7	T: Steele Tikoroituma Northcote-Green Mulchrone C:Bell 3 P:Bell.
Sat 8th Oct	15:00	London Welsh	H	MadStad	Championship	W 35-12	T: Mulchrone, Paice, de Chaves, McKibbin. C: Bell. 3 P: Bell 3.
Sat 15th Oct	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	A	The Gnoll	B & I Cup	W 25-14	T: Neal, Ransom, Nayalo, Palframan.  C: Tonks.  P: Tonks.
Sat 22nd Oct	15:00	Connacht Eagles	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 34-3	T: Elrington, Hoskins, Harris-Wright, Parton, Cokanasiga.  C: Tonks 3 P: Tonks.
Sat 29th Oct	15:00	London Scottish	A	RAG	Championship	W 62-12	T: Paice, McKibbin, Cokanasiga, Bell 2, Tikoirotuma, Steele, Cowan C: Bell 8, P: Bell 2.
Sat 5th Nov	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	H	MadStad	Championship	W 41-17	T: Ransom 2, Tikoirotuma, Marshall 2. C: Bell 5. P: Bell 2.
Sat 19th Nov	13:00	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	Championship	W 35-24	T: Ransom 2, Franks 2, Northcote-Green  C: Marshall 2.  P: Tonks 2.
Sun 27th Nov	15:00	Jersey Reds	H	MadStad	Championship	W 42-29	T: Ransom, Paice 2, Palframan, Fowlie  C: Bell 4  P: Bell 2  DG: Bell.
Sat 3rd Dec	14:00	Rotherham Titans	A	Clifton Lane	Championship	W 38-10	T: Cokanasiga 2, Bell 2, Steele.  C: Bell 5  P: Bell.
Sun 11th Dec	15:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 33-24	T: Atkins, Gilsenan, Porecki, Nayalo, M.Williams.  C: Tonks 4.
Sat 17th Dec	14:30	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	B & I Cup
Sat 24th Dec	15:00	Richmond	A	RAG	Championship
Sat 31st Dec	15:00	Bedford Blues	H	MadStad	Championship
13/14/15 Jan		Connacht Eagles	A		B & I Cup
Sat 21st Jan	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	H	MadStad	B & I Cup
Sat 28th Jan	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	A	Vallis Way	Championship
Sun 5th Feb	14:00	Nottingham	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 18th Feb	14:00	London Welsh	A	Old Deer Park	Championship
Sat 25th Feb	15:00	London Scottish	H	MadStad	Championship
Sun 5th Mar	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	A	Headingley	Championship
Sat 18th Mar	14:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 25th Mar	14:00	Jersey Reds	A	St Peter	Championship
Sat 8th Apr	15:00	Rotherham Titans	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 15th Apr	15:00	Doncaster Knights	A	Castle Park	Championship

Season Preview

Well it's been an interesting summer in the aftermath of relegation.  It was clear from the outset that we would lose some players and would have to cut our cloth accordingly.  Initially it appeared that Tom Coventry was staying, but a late u-turn from him meant a new coaching set up was required.  New coaches, loss of big names, new players to integrate, sounds like a recipe for disaster, and we've certainly been there many times over the past few years.  This however, does not feel like that at all.  Perhaps it's because we are a league down, but there is real optimism around, primarily because of those things.  The holy trinity of Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson have been promoted to the first team after overseeing a successful academy season last year, and have Brendan Venter overseeing them as technical director.  This is exciting.  A proven winner overseeing a young, hungry and exciting coaching team.  On the playing side, the main losses being Matt Symons and Sean Maitland are more than offset by the likes of George Robson, James Marshall and Tommy Bell coming in.  If anything it feels as if we may have a stronger squad this year than we've had for the past 4 or 5.

Two games into pre season and things look positive.  Comfortably beating an admittedly understrength Quins, and a high scoring win against Nottingham have given plenty of optimism for the season ahead.  There were still defensive lapses, which will need to be ironed out, but barring complacency or an absolute stinker in terms of form, we should have more than enough to comfortably make the dreaded play offs, where it then becomes a test of mental strength rather than ability.


Ozzy'sprediction: Champions

[stnick88]

Pretty sure that is a done deal

Who does he play for currently?

[Ozzy3213]

So I make that strong rumours of the following to come in next season...

Saia Fainga’a
Gordon Reid
Petrus du Plessis
Jim Hamilton
Filo Paulo
Lasha Lomidze
Jake Schatz

Ben Meehan

That's 7 forwards and 1 back. If you add in mid season signings Chawatama, McNally and Koloamatangi, all of whom I hope we keep, it seems clear where the focus for next year is.

[stnick88]

I don't think Koloamatangi is staying. Unsure on McNally, but I would like him to, likewise Chawatama.

time to target some more backs!

[Smudge21]

Rugby paper seems to suggest Koloamatangi is staying and we would be mad not to offer Mcnally and Chawatama contracts

[Margin_Walker]

Like the sound of the Georgian fella. There's an issue with numbers at the end of the day which will be interesting to see how it resolves itself. If all those rumoured forwards join (big if), room is going to have to be made for them. Thoughts on possible leavers? Always difficult, as contract lengths aren't always clear. I'd guess Narraway, Trayfoot, Robson (would love to keep him), Palf (think he's contracted, but injuries are stacking up and may be clauses), Court, Sexton may feature on that front. Especially if McNally and Lovejoy are kept on.

Will also need to look at some EQP backs!

[Smudge21]

I reckon court will retire at the end of the season, with Trayfoot, Narraway, possibly Gilsenan, and a couple of locks making way and palf as you said. I know he signed a contract extension last year but think it's best he maybe joins a team in the championship to see if he can get regular rugby.

In the backs I doubt we'll have many leavers. Allinson we know about and then I'm not too sure, think most are contracted other than Ransom who I hope will sign on. Obviously we have a lot of talented academy backs but they are still 2-3 years off in terms of playing regular premiership rugby so hopefully we add a couple of players. Would love hurrell or Woodward if Bristol go down

[stnick88]

Woodward will have a few admirers I reckon.

Not sure FB is a priority though as for me Bell is first name on the team sheet due to his kicking (for goal and touch where he gets such good distance). Marshall and Ransom are great alternatives also.

[Margin_Walker]

Were Bristol to go down, i think there would be a decent queue for both of them. One or both may even stay given the likelihood of them bouncing back up, without the uncertainty of the playoffs.

Could always get Shane back mind...

[Smudge21]

I think 13 is the obvious priority for where we need to strengthen in the backs. Mulchrone has done a good job but is a better 12 and Tiks is a bit suspect defensively. I still have hope for fowlie if he can stay fit and M Williams has got potential but we need quality right now.
As a cheap option Doncasters 13 looked very good on Sunday

[SirBurger]

Watched a few videos featuring the Georgian earlier today and he seems like a great prospect. A nice interview with the Georgia coach where he talks about him as a real star of the future. It definitely sounds promising, but I noticed that French media were reporting him as a done deal to Montpellier about a month ago so we shall have to see. In any event he really looks to me like the a ball carrying Number 8 in the Hala'Ufia mould. Something that we have been missing and that you really need to have if you are to survive and thrive in the Premiership.

Of course Schatz, him and potentially Kolo (if he stays) will mean that we are heavy in the back row and I think we can expect Narraway, Gilsenan and Trayfoot to move on. As much as I like Gilsenan, I think we would have to admit that those three would be an upgrade, at least in the physicality stakes and with work-horses like Coman, Blair and MNG to complement them I would be very happy with that back row stock.

In the backs 13 is obviously the one to focus on. Ranger was mentioned a few pages ago. That would be splendid.

[Smudge21]

Sounds excellent sir burger, had forgotten about Northcote-green but I think he will be a real star for us if he's stays fit. Could be a top 7

[Ozzy3213]

SB I am in agreement with your back row assessment, with the exception of losing Gilsenan. If we can keep him then

6. Coman, Schatz, Treviranus
7. Cowan, Northcote-Green, Gilsenan
8. Koloamatangi, Lomidze, Nayalo

is a formidable back row in terms of quality and depth, with Isaac Curtis-Harris and hopefully Josh Basham in the academy and potentially dual registered with Championship clubs.

The only negative with that list is the fact that only Northcote-Green and Nayalo are English qualified and neither would be first choice, which does limit us a bit selection wise in terms of qualifying for the EQP payments (although I am unsure of how reliant we are on that budget wise).

[Smudge21]

If we go up and all signings are made then I can see our line up being something like this

Reid
Faingaa
Franks
De chaves
Mcnally
Treviranus
Cowan
Lomidze

Mckibbin
Marshall
Ransom
Williams
Mulchrone
Lewington
Bell

Paice
Hobbs-Awoyemi
Chawatama
Hamilton
Coman
Steele
Brophy-clews
Tiks

[exileray]

I think big jo might be in the mix, a quality centre is needed I think...

[stnick88]

Centres is the glaring weakness.

Williams has a lot of potential but is still young. Mulchrone is solid but lacks a bit of pace and we need a bit more spark.

Decent looking side though.

[Ozzy3213]

We need a 13. Mulchrone is a 12 for me. Happy with him and Williams rotating there. 13 is the problem jersey.

[Geordie]

I see you boys are taking the Championship at a canter....

[stnick88]

to be expected mate. bearing in mind we have players such as Franks, Cowan, De Chaves, Marshall, Lewington, anything else would be a huge disappointment.

[Geordie]

very true....

[Ozzy3213]

Just need to successfully negotiate the pray offs!

[stnick88]

if Bell is back I will be very confident.

If not, things could be a little nervy.

[Geordie]

The flippin play offs!

What a joke...1st place should go straight up.

[Smudge21]

I expect forwards recruitment is pretty much done and other than meehan we haven't really been linked with any backs. I know ranger was mentioned but not sure how reliable that is! Would like it to be an English qualified centre however as we will be struggling to meet the requirements

[SirBurger]

I expect forwards recruitment is pretty much done and other than meehan we haven't really been linked with any backs. I know ranger was mentioned but not sure how reliable that is! Would like it to be an English qualified centre however as we will be struggling to meet the requirements

I think the EQP payments are important and it is something that every team in the Premiership will be aiming to meet. The reality is, however, that Premiership survival and the financial benefits that come with that far outweigh the payments from the RFU for meeting the minimum standards. The fact of the matter is that there just aren't many good English outside centres out there that are available and would want to come to us. The plan has to be to sign older, more experienced (and often foreign players) and put them in around a core of young English talent and then over time phase those older players out as more youngsters come through. It is a work in progress, but you can see it starting to take shape with a solid core emerging.

In other news, I noticed that on the ShedWeb (Gloucester forum) someone had said the following: 'Talking to a Oirish fan today. He says that one of `them` is being seriously courted by a few inc Glaws. He had no idea who but he does have the ear of one or two at the club - I can`t think of anyone but there again I don`t know a lot about their squad - if anything........'

Hopefully nothing in it. Not sure I can take another round of youngsters departing just as they are starting to establish themselves.

[Margin_Walker]

EQP numbers will definitely be interesting next year assuming most of the rumoured signings happen (and we go up). Made the Hearn resigning an odd one for me. Fringe player this season, non EQP, 30+ outside back. Can only think that he's really cheap.

Can't think of any youngsters not contracted for next season, so should be okay on that front unless we blow it in the playoffs. Will be pressure after that though to ensure we are at least competitive in the AP if we hope to retain the best of them long term. Agree though, this generation of players disappearing en mass like the last good one would be beyond depressing.

[Smudge21]

Could it be someone like Ransom who I believe is only on a one year deal?

[Margin_Walker]

Sure, could well be. Would be nice to keep hold of him, but likely that he's attracted some interest.

[Ozzy3213]

SB, you are spot on, if we get promoted we have to stay up and if that means foregoing the EQP payment for a year to get our best side on the pitch as often as possible then so be it.

Regards the Gloucester rumour, I have no idea who that could be, but I would say that from my interaction with players, both online and in person this is the most harmonious atmosphere I've seen at the club for a number of years. With the exception of a couple of guys who've not got much game time this year, albeit through injury in some cases (I'm thinking Trayfoot and Gilsenan) I can't see anyone really wanting away.

Ultimately if as the rumour states there are a number of clubs courting a player I would say it would have to be one of our top lads, such as Franksy, James Marshall or Tommy B, but I Genuinely don't see them going anywhere unless an absolutely ridiculous offer that is going to set their family up for life is made.

[SirBurger]

First defeat of the season. A little bit disappointing, but it may help to remove a bit of complacency ahead of the play-offs. My only real concern is the absence of Franks and Mulchrone. I assume they are being rested ahead of the play-offs, but we really cannot do without them. Bell we know is going to be a few more weeks, but we also need him to be back in the side as soon as possible. Play-off XV assuming all fit:

1. Court
2. Paice
3. Franks
4. De Chaves
5. Robson
6. Coman
7. Cowan
8. Treviranus

9. McKibbin
10. Marshall
11. Lewington
12. Mulchrone
13. Tikoirotuma
14. Cokanasiga
15. Bell

Bench: Porecki, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Chatawama, McNally, Koloamatangi (if fit), Steele, Ransom

[Heaf]

Agree - disappointing to lose the clean sweep but should hopefully keep the team grounded for the stupid play-offs ... can't help but think without those we would have put out a stronger team today and could have gone unbeaten.

[Smudge21]

I thought we would struggle today having seen the team yesterday, sounds like we physically didn't match them today and that's what I feared without the likes of Franks, Mulchrone etc

Having said that better to get the loss out our system today and hopefully we can dish them out some revenge next week! My team for the play off would be...

Hobbs-Awoyemi
Paice
Franks
Robson
De chaves
Coman
Cowan
Trev

Mckibbin
Marshall
Ransom
Mulchrone
Tiks
Lewington
Bell

Porecki
Court
Chawatama
Mcnally
Nayalo
Steele
Cokanasiga

The coaches do seem to really like Narraway but I just don't see it myself so I hope Coman is fit for the play offs. Do we know if MNG is going to be fit?

[Margin_Walker]

I think the game probably told us a lot that we already know. We've had a few tight ones this season, so it was probably due and sounded from the radio commentary that Jersey deserved it.

Scrum sounded like a massive issue in the first half. Thinking positively, I can't see us starting with a 37 yo Court/Hoskins prop pairing too much next year (assuming we go up). Definitely need the front row reinforcements we seem to have lined up there, although things seemed to shore up when Danny H-A and Lovejoy were on.

Will be interesting to hear from folks there how who stood out (if anyone) and who didn't on the day.

My playoff team would be similar to both of yours. Would probably go with Cokanasiga on the wing. Goes without saying that it would be nice to have Bell back.

[Smudge21]

I doubt court will be hear next year, think we'll have Reid, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Smallbone and Elrington at loosehead with Franks, Hoskins, Du Plessis and Lovejoy presuming they both sign at tighthead.

Hoskins has struggled in the scrum this season but does have potential doubt we will see him in the play off unless of injury

[Ozzy3213]

Whilst I am disappointed that we lost, if you'd offered me a season where our first league defeat would be the last weekend in March at the start of the season, I'd have bitten your hand off.

I wasn't in Jersey but speaking to those who were, Jersey were well up for it and thoroughly deserved the win.

What will be interesting is whether or not this defeat will have an impact on what side we put out next weekend for the semi final. We do need to see a reaction and back to back defeats at this stage of the season would not be a good thing.

[exileray]

if jersey can get into 4th position we will be going back again in the play offs....
Let's hope they don't run out off john smiths and jersey pride next time......

[Smudge21]

Interesting selection for next week indeed, personally go for something like

Elrington
Gleave
Lovejoy
Llyod
Mcnally
Coman
Gilsenan
Nayalo

Steele
TBC
Ransom
Neal
M.Williams
Cokanasiga
Parton

Porecki
Hobbs-Awoyemi
Hoskins
Sexton
Koloamatangi ( if fit)
Brand
Hearn

[Ecksile]

Just back from Jersey and without a shadow of a doubt they fully deserved their win.

For those who haven't been there, the ground is on the top of a hill. Unfortunately on Saturday there was seemingly a force 10 blowing which made for interesting box kicks and kicks to touch (from both sides).

As has already been said, losing this was certainly not entirely a bad thing. Would have liked to go unbeaten, but at the end of the day we have already secured top spot for the play offs.

Also interesting to see how Jersey react to the B & I cup next weekend. I can't see us changing our approach very much (if at all) but Jersey now have a realistic chance at the play offs. Do they go for the cup or the play offs -- or both?

[Ozzy3213]

So here is where we are at in terms of next seasons squad, presuming that my sources are correct regarding all rumoured incomings.

Confirmed leavers
Jason Harris-Wright, Luke Narraway, Darren Allinson

Out of contract, no news
Gerard Ellis, Tom Court, Jerry Sexton, George Robson, Joe Trayfoot, Tevita Koloamatangi,
Matt Kouris, Austin Hay, Jack Cooke, Connor Murphy, Ross Neal, Jacob Atkins

Senior Squad
HK David Paice, Saia Fainga’aa, David Porecki, Todd Gleave
LH Gordon Reid, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Smallbone, Harry Elrington
TH Ben Franks, Petrus du Plessis, Lovejoy Chawatama, Ollie Hoskins, Richard Palframan
LK Seb de Chaves, Jim Hamilton, Josh McNally, Jebb Sinclair, Will Lloyd
FL Mike Coman, Blair Cowan, Max Northcote-Green, Conor Gilsenan, Jake Schatz
N8 Ofisa Treviranus, Lasha Lomidze, Senitiki Nayalo

SH Brendan McKibbin, Scott Steele, Ben Meehan
FH James Marshall, Theo Brophy-Clews
CE Johnny Williams, Fergus Mulchrone, Ciaran Hearn, Tom Fowlie
WG Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoroituma, Topsy Ojo, Ben Ransom
FB Tommy Bell, Greig Tonks

Academy
BR Isaac Curtis-Harris
SH Rory Brand
CE Matt Williams
WG Joe Cokanasiga
FB Tom Parton


Of the players that we still don’t know about, I suspect that Ellis, Court, Sexton and Trayfoot most certainly won’t be here next season. My understanding with Court is that he initially was going to retire but has recently asked for another year, but has been told no as we already have four senior looseheads signed for next season. I like Tom a lot, but I think that is probably the right decision. Reid will be number 1, and DHA has looked very good this season, with Smallbone and a very much improving Elrington backing them up. Koloamatangi I believe may be getting released as he’s spent the majority of his trial period on the sidelines with concussion. Robson is the big one, and sadly my gut feeling is that he is off. I’ve heard nothing, and the tight lippedness of my sources on it worries me as I suspect they’d be singing from the roof tops if he’d re-signed. He was not cheap this year and I suspect that money could well be a factor. Of the academy forwards I hope we extend Jack Cooke’s contract. I was worried about his lack of bulk at the start of the season, but actually he is tough as teak and whilst his carrying in the tight is not brilliant, his defensive workrate is exceptional. I think he is worth developing. Connor Murphy I believe is off to Rotherham and I can’t see Ross Neal being given an extension. Jacob Atkins I hope is kept on, but again I’ve heard nothing.

Of the current U18s, I would expect Josh Basham (LK, N8) and Ben Loader (WG, FB) to certainly be offered senior academy contracts, with possibly Harry Butler (LK, FL), Ollie Hassell-Collins (WG), Callum Torpey (HK) and Ben Atkins (BR) also joining them.

The glaring place we need a decent in the senior squad is at 13 in my opinion. I’m happy with

15. Bell
14. Lewington

12. Williams/Mulchrone
11. Tikoroituma
10. Marshall
9. McKibbin/Meehan

1. Reid
2. Faingaa
3. Franks
4. Hamilton
5. de Chaves
6. Coman
7. Cowan
8. Lomidze

as a starting XV as long as we can sign a good standard, proven Premiership outside centre. It’s not a team that can challenge for top 4 I don’t think, but after Sarries, Wasps and Exeter, the rest of the squads all have their own weaknesses and if we can get off to a decent start then I think we can be competitive in that group from 5th-12th, hopefully avoiding the crippling pressure of being fully in a relegation battle.

Early season fixture list is going to be a big factor I think, as Sale (h), Worcester (a), Gloucester (h) is going to give us a hugely better chance of hitting the ground running than Exeter (a), Saracens (h), Wasps (a) will.


All of this is of course dependent on us successfully negotiating the pray offs!

[Smudge21]

I thought sexton was still hear next season but am happy to be proven wrong. 13 is a definite weakness but not sure there's many options out there. Just a side thought but could J Williams ever play 13?

As a team for next year I'd like the following
Reid
Faingaa
Franks
De chaves
Mcnally
Coman
Cowan
Lomidze

Mckibbin
Marshall
Cokanasiga
Williams
?
Lewington
Bell

Paice
Hobbs-Awoyemi
Chawatama
Hamilton
Gilsenan
Meehan/Steele
Brophy-clews
Tiks

[stnick88]

I believe Sinclair might be off and Palframan. Also have heard Hamilton is having second thoughts and might retire.

[Margin_Walker]

Palf going wouldn't surprise me, despite being in contract.

Expect there may be contract clauses relating to player injury time, as brutal as that sounds. Certainly happens in the Championship and think I remember us doing similar in the past. Fisher was in contract when released iirc. Can't see us going into the season with 5 senior tightheads. Only guessing though

[Ozzy3213]

I did wonder if we might offload Palframan given he's been a major sicknote in his time with us. I know Jebb is also playing through the pain barrier with his knee, but I'd love him to stay as he's a good squad player who will be invaluable for the LV and Challenge Cup games.

[stnick88]

I think Filo Paulo is coming though

[Ozzy3213]

I'd heard the Filo Paulo rumour but nothing concrete. Think he'd be a good addition, adding a bit more ballast and carrying in the front 5.

[Smudge21]

Teams up for donny

London Irish: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Aseli Tikoirotuma, 12 Theo Brophy Clews, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 2 David Paice (c), 3 Ben Franks, 4 Sebastian De Chaves, 5 Jebb Sinclair, 6 Mike Coman, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Ofisa Treviranus

Replacements: 16 Dave Porecki, 17 Tom Court, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Will Lloyd, 20 Conor Gilsenan, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Topsy Ojo

[exileray]

Marshall having a rest..?

[Smudge21]

No idea, slightly worrying that he hasn't played the last couple of games but other than that we look pretty much full strength

[SirBurger]

Marshall's absence is a concern but I wouldn't be nervous going into the play offs without him. Mulchrone on the other hand would be a very big loss.

[exileray]

have seen on Irish Facebook page that he was due to start but has a slight niggle.
so I am thinking safety first and rightly so.....

[Ozzy3213]

Pray offs here we come.

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