SEAN MAITLAND and Blair Cowan have returned from Six Nations duty with Scotland and go straight into the London Irish starting XV for Sunday’s game at Leicester Tigers (3pm).
The pair had pulled out of their country’s clash with Italy at the weekend through injury, but have since been deemed fit enough to make the Exiles squad which heads up the M1 to Welford Road.
Maitland was unable to shake off a hamstring problem in time for Scotland’s clash with Wales earlier in the month, with Cowan lasting just 10 minutes of the 27-23 defeat after suffering concussion.
But having been given the all-clear to resume playing, Maitland will start at full-back, with international and club team-mate Cowan replacing No.8 Rob McCusker, who has been ruled out through injury.
Johnny Williams, meanwhile, drops to the bench.
Irish head to the East Midlands looking to rectify the 22-15 reverse against Exeter Chiefs at Madejski Stadium last Sunday, a result which leaves the club five points adrift at the foot of the Aviva Premiership table.
They also head to the Tigers looking to secure a first win away from home too this season, but as assistant coach Clark Laidlaw said: “We will go up there with a positive mind-set and a positive attitude and get stuck in to Leicester.
“We know it’s going to be a tough test for the boys at Welford Road, but if the lads apply themselves well then there is no reason why we can’t come away with a result.”
Defeat to the Chiefs also ended a run of three successive home victories, and while the result was a difficult one to take, Laidlaw has been encouraged with the response shown by the camp.
“The boys have been pretty positive all week and we have had some honest and open conversations with them in recent weeks about where we are at as a team – the boys are responding well to it,” he added.
“We have to concentrate on our own game and not be distracted by what is going on around us in the table.”
Trips to Welford Road have not been kind to Sunday’s visitors over the years, although such a wretched run did come to an end on their last visit back in 2014, where Shane Geraghty kicked over 17 points in a 22-19 victory.
“Welford Road is one of the iconic grounds in the league with all of the tradition and history that goes with the club,” said Laidlaw.
“I’m certainly looking forward to going there and sampling game day – the boys are excited and we’ve had a good week in training.”
LONDON IRISH: Maitland, Ojo, Hearn, Mulchrone, Fenby, Brophy Clews, Steele, Smallbone, Paice, Aulika, Symons, Stooke, Narraway (c), Cowan, Treviranus.
Replacements: Cruse, Court, Halavatau, Lloyd, Trayfoot, Allinson, Geraghty, WIlliams.
