TEAM NEWS
There are a few changes to the starting line-up of the team that played Leeds on 20th April. Kevin Barrett starts on the left wing in place of Geoff App
leford who moves to outside centre. Rob Hoadley replaces the injured Brendan Venter at inside centre. Mark Mapletoft retains the fly half jersey having taken over from Barry Everitt in the second half of the Leeds game. The pack is unchanged.
Commenting on selection, Conor O'Shea, Managing Director of London Irish, said: "The injury problems that have haunted us all season continue. Nine of our senior players are unavailable. We have decided to retain Mark Mapletoft at fly half where his experience will be invaluable to the team in Brendan Venter's absence."
Unavailable for selection through injury are: Justin Bishop (ankle), Kevin Burke (knee), Nick Burrows (knee), James Cockle (finger), Glenn Delaney (ankle), Darren Edwards (ribs), Paul Gustard (torn bicep), Richard Kirke (shoulder) and Brendan Venter (knee).
LIVE COMMENTARY
For those of you unable to get a ticket for the sell-out game at Welford Road this Saturday, you can get live commentary via our website.
LONDON IRISH v BRISTOL SHOGUNS
London Irish will play their final match of the season against Bristol Shoguns at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday 10th May, kick off 3pm.
The Club is able to confirm these details becuase of Reading FC's great result against Watford last night as a result of which they secured a home advantage for their second round match in the Nationwide League Division One play-offs.
Given the position of both clubs at the foot of the Zurich Premiership, the outcome of the game is critical to the survival of both clubs in the premier league.
London Irish is hoping that supporters from London and the Thames Valley will attend in their thousands to give the team the encouragement it needs to achieve a crucial victory.
Book your tickets online at www.london-irish.com and save £5 on adult tickets or call the ticket hotline on 0118 968 1000.
Let's raise the roof for the season finale!
ACADEMY NEWS
On Monday 5th May, London Irish U19s take on Worcester in the National Cup Final. Please note that the kick off has been brought forward to 3pm.
The team would appreciate as much support as possible and to this end there will be supporters coaches leaving from Sunbury and Reading (please contact Tony Byrne, Tel: 01344 641524 (office hours) or e-mail: tony.stclares@ntlworld.com. There is also a webpage to keep you up to date with the information.
Admission is £3 for all parts of the ground, free for under 16s.
RESULTS
Well done to the U21s who beat Bath last Saturday 34-10 at Sunbury.
PLACES STILL AVAILABLE AT THE PLAYERS' AWARDS DINNER
We are pleased to confirm that this years Players' Awards Dinner, an event not to be missed, will be held at the Madejski Stadium on Friday 23rd May 2003.
The evening will include a drinks reception from 7pm, a four course dinner with wine, presentation of awards, guest speaker and a live band till 1am.
Tickets are £115 per person inc. VAT
Tables for ten people are £1,150 inc. VAT
which can include the company of a player and their partner if you wish.
Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. To book or get further details please contact Kelly on 0118 987 9721 or e-mail kelly.adey@london-irish.org
For the Awards Dinner evening, The Millennium Madejski Hotel is offering a discounted rate of £60 per room including breakfast. If you wish to book please contact reservations on 0118 925 3500 quoting: London Irish Awards Dinner.
CHRIS KAYS MEMORIAL GAMES
Chris Kays, ex-Reading School and Abbey RFC, was tragically a victim of the Bali bombing while on
rugby tour with the Singapore Cricket Club. Chris was based in Singapore with work, and his love of life and the game of rugby earned him respect and friends around the world. Abbey RFC is staging a day of Memorial Games to honour Chris's memory, the proceeds of which will be divided among Care 4 Kids and Thailand & Future Hope.
Date - Sunday, 11 May 2003
Entrance - £5 (under 16s free)
Venue - Reading Abbey RFC (Rosehill, Emmer Green, Reading, RG4 8XA)
Schedule
13.00 - Abbey Select XV vs. Reading Schools Old Boys XV
14.15 - Mini Exhibition Games
15.00 - Presidents XV vs. International Select XV
For further information check the website www.abbeyrfc.org, e-mail brian@rennell.demon.co.uk or call 0118 947 6428.
READING SCHOOLS RECEIVE IRISH RUGBY COACHING
The Exiles are running coaching sessions in three local Reading Schools this week with children from Years 5 and 6. The sessions are part of the Powergen Schools Tag Rugby Programme and St Michael's Primary School, St John's Primary and St Anne's Primary will all be visited this week.
The Powergen programme is designed to encourage pupils participation in rugby, and by the end of the academic year London Irish, in conjunction with Sportsmatch and the RFU, will have coached children in 24 local Berkshire schools. Each school is left with free rugby balls, tag belts, marker cones, lesson plans and an equipment bag to promote playing rugby after the coaching sessions.
Ireland international Justin Bishop comments on the programme: "I've been playing rugby for London Irish since I was at primary school and I think it's very important to encourage kids to start playing rugby at an early age. Hopefully some of the children that we coach now will follow my path and play professional rugby in the future."
TALES FROM THE CRAIC
London Irish would like to invite all supporters to supply 'The Blarney' with some interesting stories
or jokes to be included in the weekly newsletter. Please make sure that the jokes or
stories are clean enough for us to publish. We will also place the best story or joke of the week on the London Irish website. This week's addition is anonymous.
Totally Bats
Two bats are going for their midnight feed.
After an hour or so, one bat gets tired of looking and goes home with no blood.
The other bat comes home with blood dripping from its mouth. The first bat says enviously, "Where did you get all that blood from?"
The second bat replies, "Follow me. I`ll show you."
After awhile the second bat leads them to a cave. He says, "You see that wall over there?"
The hungry bat excitedly says, "Yes!"
Other bat says, "I didn't."
