THE LONDON Irish side lining up against Grenoble in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon will be much changed to the one which defeated Newcastle Falcons.
This is because head coach Tom Coventry has made 11 changes to the team which held out to win last Sunday’s Aviva Premiership basement battle with the Falcons 20-15.
Only try scorers Topsy Ojo and Alex Lewington, along with Jebb Sinclair and Luke Narraway, retain their place in the starting XV.
No.8 Narraway, meanwhile, will captain the side for this Pool 5 clash with Top 14 outfit Grenoble at Madejski Stadium (3pm kick-off).
“We have made a number of changes to the team for Saturday’s game,” said Coventry.
“There are members of the squad working tirelessly behind the scenes who deserve an opportunity and I’m sure they will take it with both hands.
“It is a big game for us as we look to progress in this competition.
“Grenoble are top of the pool and we know we will have to be at our best to win.”
The front row will be made up of Tom Smallbone, Tom Cruse and Halani Aulika, while Sinclair will be joined in the second row by senior Academy member Ollie Curry.
Tom Guest, Joe Trayfoot and Luke Narraway will complete the back row.
Scott Steele and Shane Geraghty will form the half-back pairing, while there is also a start too for Theo Brophy Clews, who signed a contract extension with the Exiles earlier this week.
He slots in at inside centre, with Fergus Mulchrone outside him.
Lewington and Ojo are joined in the back three by Tom Fowlie.
Victory for Irish could see the side reclaim top spot in the pool with just one round of fixtures left to play.
Grenoble currently lead the way and sit two points clear of Irish, who are second thanks to a greater points difference than Edinburgh.
The hosts will also be looking to secure a fifth straight win on home soil.
LONDON IRISH: Ojo, Lewington, Mulchrone, Brophy Clews, Fowlie, Geraghty, Steele, Smallbone, Cruse, Aulika, Curry, Sinclair, Guest, Trayfoot, Narraway (c).
Replacements: Stevens, Court, Halavatau, Gilsenen, Sisi, Allinson, Williams, Waldouck.
