TEAM NEWS

There is one change to the starting line-up of the team that played Newcastle Falcons on 28th February.  Rob Hardwick returns from injury to replace Doug Wheatley in the front row.  Unavailable for selection due to injury is Pierre Durant (knee).  Sunday is also an important day for three of the players as they record special milestones in their careers.  The evergreen No.8, Chris Sheasby makes his 200th league appearance - he is the only player currently playing in the Premiership who also played Division One rugby in the inaugural season of the English Leagues in 1987/88.  Kieron Dawson and Barry Everitt play their 150th and 100th games respectively for the club.

Looking forward to Sunday's match, Head Coach, Gary Gold said, "We have testing back-to-back matches with Bath over the coming two weekends.  Both will be memorable occasions I'm sure with 'sell out' crowds at the Madejski Stadium and Recreation Ground."

"Last season our two matches provided dramatic finishes with the outcome tipping in Bath's favour on both occasions.  We are hoping to redress the balance this Sunday at least in front of a full home stadium."

PLAYER NEWS
Former England Under 21 Scrum Half Strengthens Squad

London Irish announced this week that Paul Hodgson, the former England U21 scrum half will join the club at the start of next season.

Hodgson (22) was an integral part of the England Under 21 squad for last summer's World Cup. He currently plays for Bristol Shoguns who he joined in summer 2001.

Commenting on Hodgson's signing, the London Irish Managing Director, Conor O'Shea said, "We are pleased to have signed an exciting talent like Paul. He strengthens our resources in the vital scrum half position and we are looking forward to him joining the squad in July."

"Negotiations are continuing with a number of other players and inevitably the club will be linked with them," said Mr O'Shea. "It has always been London Irish's policy not to comment on contacts with players until contracts have been signed, that policy continues to apply."

LONDON IRISH SET FOR RECORD WEEKEND

London Irish is certain of setting a new attendance record for the club and the Zurich Premiership at this Sunday's St. Patrick's Weekend match against Bath at Madejski Stadium.

Advance ticket sales are already in excess of 22,000 with the East, West and South Stands at the superb Reading stadium sold out. There are just under 1,100 tickets left for sale in the North Stand. The club has appealed to fans intending to come to the game who have not yet booked their tickets to do so via the Internet at www.london-irish.com or via the ticket hotline (0118 968 1000) as soon as possible. It is most unlikely that any tickets will be available for sale on Sunday.

The club's Commercial Director, Pat Coyne, is encouraging supporters of both clubs to arrive at the stadium as early as possible: "We have a full programme of pre and post-match entertainment to keep supporters busy starting from 12.00noon and finishing at 10.00pm. We hope they will all enter into the spirit of this special celebration and have an enjoyable afternoon and evening."

All the car parks in the vicinity of the stadium including the Foster Wheeler car park (based at the Old Shire Hall building), will be open from 12.00pm. An enhanced shuttle bus service will operate between Reading mainline station and the stadium. The last bus will leave the stadium at 10.30pm.

Parking for Coaches at the Stadium is by prior arrangement only.  If you are planning on bringing a coach party please e-mail andrea.bray@london-irish.com by 5.00pm on Thursday 18th March. 

As part of its commitment to supporting the Thames Valley Police's "Don't Drink and Drive Campaign" London Irish is encouraging supporters to use public transport where possible so that they can enjoy the afternoon and evening to the full.

Other News about the weekend's match: -
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Itinerary for the day
Warm-up Match

Windsor Lounge - due to all of the hospitality being sold out, this area will be closed to the public.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to the Hotel will be through the main hotel entrance only and will not be possible via the conference centre reception.

LIMITED EDITION SHIRTS

Pre-ordering of the 2004 St. Patrick's Weekend shirts has now ended.

If you missed the deadline, there will be 100 on sale from 12 noon at the Megastore before the game on Sunday. These will be sold on a strictly first come first served basis. Unfortunately, for this reason we are not able to reserve shirts.

There will also be St.Patrick's Weekend t-shirts on sale from the Megastore and the mobile unit on Sunday.

LONDON DOUBLE HEADER

Premier Rugby have announced that the 2004/05 Zurich Premiership season will kick off with a special all London Double Header at Twickenham on Saturday 4th September 2004. The four London clubs in the Zurich Premiership - London Irish, London Wasps, NEC Harlequins and Saracens - will play their opening premiership fixtures against each other on the first Saturday of the new domestic season. The event at Twickenham aims to create real excitement in the capital city and provides supporters of all four London based clubs with a fantastic day of world class rugby at the home of England Rugby. The other eight clubs will be in action over the opening weekend with fixtures to be confirmed towards the end of this season.

A coin toss determined which clubs would play with notional 'home advantage' and the fixtures will be reversed next season. London Irish will play NEC Harlequins at 2.00pm and Saracens will play London Wasps at 4.15pm*. Both matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports.

Season ticket holders at all four clubs will receive a ticket as part of their club season ticket packages and additional tickets can be purchased from each of the four clubs priced £20/30 to cover both matches. All kids tickets (16 or under) are priced at just £5. Tickets will be on sale from the four clubs and from Ticketmaster from Monday 29th March.

* kick off times and order of matches still to be confirmed.

Click here for some FAQ's 

HEADLINES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK
(click on the headline to see the story)

- Land Rover Challenge! 
- London Irish Coaching Week
- Unique St Patrick's week promotion
- Player Awards' Dinner details
- Can you help London Irish????
- Would you like to manage London Irish? 
- 'Points Mean Pints!!' - Quins Match
- London Irish Telecom launched

THE BLARNEY

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