THE RETURN of Alex Lewington is one of five changes made by London Irish for Saturday’s trip to Bath (3.15pm).
The winger has recovered from a broken thumb and goes straight into the starting XV which will line up at The Recreation Ground, where he will replace Andrew Fenby.
Fergus Muchrone makes way for Johnny Williams at inside centre, who will join new signing Greig Tonks on the bench.
Rob McCusker takes the place of Ofisa Treviranus, who misses the game with a knee injury, at No.8 while second-row Matt Symons and flanker Ian Nagle return to the pack for this crucial Aviva Premiership fixture.
Further movement among the replacements see Blair Cowan take a place on the bench, with Jerry Sexton also named among the substitutes.
The Exiles sit bottom of the table, where they are currently five points adrift of Worcester Warriors – but they are out tonight against another side looking for points to climb the standings, Newcastle Falcons, so the gap could be increased.
But Irish are guests of a Bath side on a wretched run of form at present, so it should make for an interesting contest.
“Bath have some big ball carriers in their ranks, which will give them a lot of go-forward up front,” said assistant coach Richard Whiffin.
“Equally, they have a lot of talent in the back-line with the likes of Kyle Eastmond, Semesa Rokoduguni and Matt Banahan – the names just roll off the tongue.
“We know they are a good team, but we feel that if we impose our game on them then we can certainly put them under pressure and really take it to them.”
He added: “It’s great to see Alex Lewington back in the side, but it will be two or three weeks before a few of the other lads return from injury.”
LONDON IRISH: Maitland, Lewington, Hearn, Williams, Ojo, Brophy Clews, Steele, Smallbone, Paice, Aulika, Symons, Stooke, Nagle, Narraway (c), McCusker.
Replacements: Cruse, Court, Halavatau, Sexton, Cowan, Allinson, Tonks, Mulchrone.
Referee: JP Doyle.
