Leinster A v London Welsh next Saturday

[Xanthippe]

Btw, don't forget that Leinster have decided to give free entry to this one to STHs so don't forget your card if you're heading down

[Dave Cahill]

London Welsh make nine changes for Saturday’s British and Irish Cup quarter-final with Leinster ‘A’ at Donnybrook (KO 7pm).

From the side which defeated Rotherham Titans 32-16 last weekend, in to the Exiles’ starting XV for tomorrow’s clash with Leinster ‘A’ come James Lewis, Joe Carlisle, Rob Lewis, Will Skuse, Kieran Murphy, Ben West, Nathan Trevett, Harry Allen and Jack Gilding.

In the backs, James Lewis starts on the right wing in place of Nic Reynolds. At scrum half Rob Lewis comes in for Ryan Glynn, while Joe Carlisle replaces fly half Olly Barkley, who is named among the replacements.

In the forwards, there’s a new look front row in Nathan Trevett, Harry Allen and Jack Gilding. Ben West, who came off the bench against Titans, partners captain Matt Corker in the second row. Josh McNally is named on the bench.

Will Skuse comes in at blindside flanker for Jesse Liston, while Kieran Murphy, an early replacement for the injured Richard Thorpe last Saturday, starts at Number 8.

On the bench, Ben Pienaar is set to make his first appearance since January 30th against Bedford Blues.

The Exiles, making their first appearance in the knock out stages, face a huge challenge if they are to progress to the last four against the competition’s number one seeds and two-time winners.

Leinster ‘A’ came through their pool with a 100% record of six wins from six matches, while London Welsh finished as runners up in Pool 4 behind Cornish Pirates.

London Welsh head coach Rowland Phillips said: “Over the last few weeks we’ve shown a lot more confidence to play and Saturday is a further opportunity to continue to build on that.

“Leinster ‘A’ are very well organised, their players are of Pro 12 standard and with Leinster not having a fixture we expect them to be at full strength. They qualified as top seeds, with six wins out of six, and they look to play a lot, but for us that just makes the challenge even more relishing.

“With regards to selection, we’ve made a couple of changes for Saturday’s match which will reenergise the team, but likewise give some of the boys who’ve played a lot of rugby over the last few weeks the chance to revitalise.”

The sides have met once before in the B&I Cup – in December 2011 at Donnybrook – when they shared a 24-24 draw. The Exiles overturned an 18-point as James Lewis, Ed Siggery and Will Hurrell all crossed, with Alex Davies’ late penalty ensuring a share of the spoils against a Leinster side containing the likes of Dave Kearney, Jack McGrath, Jamie Hagan and Jordi Murphy.

In addition to James Lewis, Seb Jewell, Matt Corker and Nathan Morris also played in the London Welsh side at Donnybrook in December 2011.

London Welsh: 15. Chris Elder, 14. James Lewis, 13. Guy Armitage, 12. Seb Jewell, 11. Josh Drauniniu, 10. Joe Carlisle, 9. Rob Lewis, 1. Nathan Trevett, 2, Harry Allen, 3. Jack Gilding, 4. Matt Corker (C), 5. Ben West, 6. Will Skuse, 7. Ryan Hodson, 8. Kieran Murphy.

Replacements: 16. Nathan Morris, 17. Darryl Marfo, 18. Ben Cooper, 19. Josh McNally, 20. Ben Pienaar, 21. Josh Davies, 22. Olly Barkley*.

* Denotes full international


http://www.london-welsh.co.uk/index.php ... ew&id=2858

[goreyguy]

Leinster 'A' starting XV & replacements

15. Billy Dardis(academy year 3)
14. Adam Byrne(academy year 3)
13. Colm O'Shea(senior)
12. Tom Daly(academy year 3)
11. Cian Kelleher(academy year 2)
10. Joey Carbery(academy year 1)
9. Nick McCarthy(academy year 2)
1. Jeremy Loughman(academy year 1)
2. Bryan Byrne(senior)
3. Michael Bent(senior)
4. Tadhg Beirne(senior)
5. David O'Connor(academy year 1)
6. Peadar Timmins(academy year 2) Captain
7. David Aspil(sub academy)
8. Tony Ryan(senior)

Replacements
16. Aaron Dundon(senior)
17. Oisin Heffernan(academy year 1)
18. Ciaran Ruddock(club)
19. Charlie Cregan(sub academy)
20. Charlie Rock(academy year 1)
21. Ross Byrne(academy year 2)
22. Mick McGrath(senior)

[Dave Cahill]

Thats a saucy looking outfit

[Donny B.]

David Aspil?

[jimbobjoe]

Had no idea Ciaran Ruddock was still involved - I had thought he was dropped a couple of years ago

[molloyjh]

Bloody friends and their bloody birthdays. Have a mates 40th to go to which starts with a dinner at 5:30 so I'm going to miss this and the England-Wales game.

[Donny B.]

Had no idea Ciaran Ruddock was still involved - I had thought he was dropped a couple of years ago

He was. They're obviously stuck for second row/ back row cover between injuries and the likes of Ryan and Will Connors with the under-20s

Ruddock is a fitness trainer himself and he still puts in a solid shift for Marys in the AIL so I'm sure he'll do a job if required

[cormac]

I assume Josh Murphy is injured?

[ChrisUppy]

David Aspil?

Played for High School last year and is with Marys now.

[goreyguy]

I assume Josh Murphy is injured?

yeah.

[jimbobjoe]

Had no idea Ciaran Ruddock was still involved - I had thought he was dropped a couple of years ago

He was. They're obviously stuck for second row/ back row cover between injuries and the likes of Ryan and Will Connors with the under-20s

Ruddock is a fitness trainer himself and he still puts in a solid shift for Marys in the AIL so I'm sure he'll do a job if required

Ah.. Thanks Donny

[goreyguy]

David Aspil?

U20/sub academy number 7, played an A game earlier in the season, not involved with the Irish u20 team

[ChrisUppy]

Interesting that Carbery is chosen over Byrne. Would that be because Byrne missed a lot of rugby recently?

[goreyguy]

Interesting that Carbery is chosen over Byrne. Would that be because Byrne missed a lot of rugby recently?

byrne's first game back from injury, fairly surprised he is back so quick, no surprise he isn't starting

[Ruckedtobits]

Are Marsh & Leavy considered beyond A team level at this point? Same question re Conan?

Surely an A team is selected from the players behind the First XV? Our back row selection at first team includes: SOB, JVdF, Rhys & Jamie. Why should we also exclude Conan, Ryan, Leavy? Illogical and discriminatory.

[goreyguy]

Are Marsh & Leavy considered beyond A team level at this point? Same question re Conan?

Surely an A team is selected from the players behind the First XV? Our back row selection at first team includes: SOB, JVdF, Rhys & Jamie. Why should we also exclude Conan, Ryan, Leavy? Illogical and discriminatory.

They are needed by the 1st team and have a game next week?

[cormac]

Are Marsh & Leavy considered beyond A team level at this point? Same question re Conan?

Surely an A team is selected from the players behind the First XV? Our back row selection at first team includes: SOB, JVdF, Rhys & Jamie. Why should we also exclude Conan, Ryan, Leavy? Illogical and discriminatory.

It's not a second XV, it's a development competition. Conan has no business playing in this comp, same goes for the likes of Ryan and Murphy. Leavy and Marsh are both needed for Friday's game in Glasgow.

[cormac]

Beaten 45-39 by a last minute try.

[mauler72]

Forward pass and knock on missed by the ref in the last minute too.