SAIA FAINGA’A will make his full London Irish debut for Friday night’s huge bottom versus second-bottom clash at Worcester Warriors.
The Exiles have not won in the Aviva Premiership since the opening day of the season and have slipped to the foot of the table, now six points behind Worcester.
And Nick Kennedy has named his side with Australian ace Fainga’a coming in to replace suspended hooker David Paice.
Fergus Mulchrone captained the side while Greig Tonks is rewarded for his fine display against against Stade Français last weekend with a start ahead of Tommy Bell.
Alex Lewington and Joe Cokanasiga take their place on the wings and will be two of Irish’s chief threats.
“Selecting a team wasn’t easy with a number of players forcing their way into the starting XV on the back of good performances,” said Kennedy.
“Worcester are an excellent team with threats right across the park and it’s important that we’re at it from the very first whistle.
“We’re now approaching the midway point in the season and there are many points still to be won starting with tomorrow night’s game.”
LONDON IRISH XV: Tonks, Cokanasiga, Mulchrone (c), McLean, Lewington, Marshall, Meehan, Franks, Fainga’a, Du Plessis, van der Merwe, Paulo, Coman, Cowan, Treviranus.
Reps: Woolstencroft, Reid, Chawatama, De Chaves, Northcote-Green, Steele, Bell, Tikoirotuma.
WORCESTER XV: Pennell, Heem, Willison, Mills, Adams, Lance, Hougaard, Waller, Singleton, Schonert, O’Callaghan (c), Spencer, Denton, Lewis, van Velze.
Reps: Taufete’e, Bower, Milasinovich, Barry, Faosiliva, Dowsett, Olver, Humphreys.
