There are seven changes to the starting line-up of the team that played Montauban in France last Sunday.  Unavailable because of injury are Barry Everitt (hamstring) and Chris Sheasby (eye).

Looking forward to this weekend's match, Head Coach Gary Gold said, "We were disappointed with our performance last Sunday.  While we dominated the lineout, our tackling was not up to our usual standard.  As a result we are trailing in the tie and face a demanding test against a talented Montauban team on Sunday."

WEBB ELLIS TROPHY COMING TO MADEJSKI STADIUM 
 
The Webb Ellis Cup will be touring each of the Zurich Premiership Clubs over coming weeks. The trophy will be at London Irish's match against London Wasps on Saturday 27th December.

It will be at Twickenham for the Zurich World Champions Challenge on 20th December, the Powergen Cup Final on 17th April 2004 and the Zurich Premiership Final on 29th May 2004.

KIDS GO FREE!

Kids go free at the London Irish Christmas match against London Wasps on Saturday, 27 December!  There will be special activities and entertainment for kids at the match - guaranteeing fun for all the family.  To get into the Christmas spirit with free tickets for Under 16s, book seats at www.london-irish.com or call the ticket hotline on 0118 968 1000. 

A BOX FOR BOXING DAY (ALMOST!)

It's going to be a very merry Christmas in Hospitality this year!  Most packages for the Montauban and Wasps game have now sold out (there are one or two spaces - please call Abigail on 01932 750114 for info) and the Northampton game is heading that way too.

However, a hospitality box on the HALF WAY line has become unexpectedly available for the Wasps match on 27th December!  This ten seater box is owned by one of our seasonal box holders who are moving locations for this game due to the extra guests that they are bringing.  For details of what the package includes please visit the website.

The price for this match is £1,100 inc VAT.

Please contact me by email abigail.findlay@london-irish.com or call me on 01932 750114.

IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT - LI MINI SEASON TICKET 

London Irish have launched the Mini Season Ticket covering the remainder of the 03/04 Season. The Mini Season Ticket, which starts from the London Wasps match on Saturday 27th December, gives you the opportunity to watch the remaining 7 home fixtures, with prices starting from £90 for Adults and £25 for Concessions.

The Mini Season Ticket can be purchased over the telephone via the Ticket Hotline on 0118 968 1000 or by post via an application form, which can be downloaded by clicking here.

Don't forget there's still time to get your Christmas presents from London Irish.  If you can't make up your mind, then why not send gift vouchers.  Available now online.

The Megastore at the Madejski Stadium is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.50pm and Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. During the lead up to Christmas we will be open on Thursdays until 8.00pm for late night shopping.  Please note that on London Irish match days the Megastore is open from 12noon to 6.00pm (closed during the match).

You can also place orders by phone during office hours on 0118 968 1239.

We are more than happy to send you a copy of the new merchandise brochure if you'd prefer. Please e-mail hannah.wyatt@london-irish.com with your name and address.

Delivery for Christmas

We will guarantee that orders placed by 12noon on Monday 15th December will be sent out in time for Christmas. We will continue to take and despatch orders until Friday 19th December, but are unable to guarantee you will receive them before Christmas. We aim to despatch orders within 5 working days.

Should you need any further assistance please contact Ann Stanford by e-mail londonirish@readingfc.co.uk or by calling 0118 968 1239.

SANTA STOPS AT THE MADEJSKI!

Father Christmas and his festive sleigh are visiting the Madejski Stadium this Sunday, 14 December, thanks to the Reading Valley branch of the Round Table. The sleigh will be situated outside the Megastore before the London Irish Parker Pen Challenge Cup match against Montauban.

The Round Table members will be bringing volunteers along who will be collecting for local Reading Charities - the main beneficiary being the Buscot Ward at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Jason Thomas, Chairman of the Reading Valley 830 branch, comments: "The Buscot Ward provides care to babies needing intensive, high dependency or special care, fulfilling a crucial role in the community. It's a very worthwhile cause and we're hoping the rugby fans will give generously on Sunday to help the Buscot help more infants."

Father Christmas and the sleigh will be situated outside the Megastore from midday until kick off at 3pm. 

POINTS MEAN PINTS! - LONDON WASPS MATCH 
Win Guinness to enjoy with your friends 

We all enjoy fast, open, attacking rugby with lots of tries ......... especially when London Irish are scoring them. With the season now in full swing, our friends at Guinness, are offering you the chance to win cans of their famous brew by correctly forecasting the total number of points that will be scored in the next home game against London Wasps on Saturday 27th December.

Our competition winner will receive a can of cool, refreshing Guinness Draught for every point scored when London Wasps visit the Madejski Stadium later this month. So points will mean pints that day!  The winner will also receive a Guinness t-shirt.

To enter, all you have to do is send an e-mail to competition@london-irish.com, with your Name, Address and a Contact Telephone number (please state whether Home, Work or Mobile) plus the total number of points you think will collectively be scored in the London Irish vs. London Wasps match on Saturday 27th December.

The closing date for entries is Friday 26th December. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. In the event of there being more than one correct entry, the Guinness prize will go to the first one pulled from the hat. The judge's decision is final.

THE BLARNEY

Over 7,500 people have currently subscribed to the Blarney; do you forward this to your mates? Or do you print it out and pass it around? Well, why not provide us with their e-mail address so that they can receive their own personal copy. E-mail Jon Salinger (jon.salinger@london-irish.com) with e-mail addresses. Let us try and spread the word of London Irish to a much greater audience.