There is just one change to the starting line-up of the team that played Gloucester last Saturday in the Powergen Cup. Naka Drotske returns at hooker. Nick Greenstock and Mark Mapletoft are on the bench having recovered from injuries to their shoulder and ankle respectively.  Unavailable for selection because of injury are Rob Hardwick (thumb), Kieran Roche (leg), Chris Sheasby (eye) and Ryan Strudwick (leg).

Commenting on this weekend's match, Head Coach, Gary Gold said, "Newcastle are in point-scoring form having racked up almost 100 points in their last two games - and that was without Johnny Wilkinson!  They have powerful runners in both backs and forwards as we learned to our cost last season.  Our defence will have to be at it's best once again if we are to keep them at bay."

MERCHANDISE NEWS

Digger now has his new kit and makes his first appearance this season in the Megastore on Sunday.  Will he be at the top of your Christmas list?

The Irish Edition of Rugby World will also be on sale in the Megastore this Sunday.  This is the only place that you can buy it on this side of the Irish Sea (other than by subscription) and copies are very limited, so make sure you get there early.

Since our last home game, the Megastore has had a refit, providing more floor space and a till bank at the front of the store.  There is also an express till for 2 items or less.  With a full range of replica kit and accessories available, you can start your Christmas shopping and then watch the match!

To try and ease the queues in the Megastore this Sunday, the Merchandise Unit will be outside Gate 6 of the North Stand from 12 noon to 2.50pm selling replica home and away shirts only.  Please note that the Unit will be cash only.

MINI SEASON TICKET

This weekend's match programme will contain information regarding the 2003-2004 Mini Season Ticket.  For those not able to attend the game, please look at the website on Monday for details.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH COMPETITION

Congratulations to Kieron Dawson who was voted 'Player of the Month' on the website poll, securing 42% of the votes, ahead of Paul Sackey with 33%.  David Harris from Reading will be presenting Kieron with his crate of Guinness in the North Stand at approximately 5.30pm this Sunday.

POWERDAY
New Shirt Sponsor for Key Games

London Irish announced last week that Powerday plc will be its official shirt sponsor for a series of games this month and next (which you may have seen during the Powergen Cup match against Gloucester last Saturday) including the European Challenge Cup games against Montauban.

Powerday is a leading environmental waste management contractor, skip hire and plant hire contractor and construction company.  The company's Chairman, Michael Crossan, is a long-standing supporter of London Irish and all things Irish.

Conor O'Shea, Managing Director of London Irish said, "We welcome the support of Powerday. While we continue our search for a suitable, long term partner, we are pleased to work with companies like Powerday when opportunities for short term, tactical sponsorship arise."

LAND ROVER COMMUNITY INCENTIVE SCHEME

For the third season running, Land Rover is a central sponsor of the Zurich Premiership League. On the pitch at half time a Land Rover representative will hand over a cheque for £750 to London Irish. This money was raised as part of the Land Rover community incentive scheme, where any vehicles sold to club personnel or supporters through dealers affiliated to London Irish, resulted in a contribution to our community programme.  London Irish and Land Rover are running this initiative again in the 2003-2004 season and all you need to do is make your local dealer aware that you are a London Irish supporter, so that Land Rover can arrange the appropriate donations.

If you would like more information or wish to arrange a test drive, local Land Rover dealers participating in the scheme are:

Lancaster Land Rover
Bennett Road
Reading
Berks, RG2 0QX
Tel: 0118 965 8400

Webbers Land Rover
Southern Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire, RG21 7NP
Tel: 01256 300 615

Royal Ascot Land Rover
17 London Road,
Ascot,
Berks, SL5 7EN
Tel: 01344 870 383
 
For more information, visit www.landrover.co.uk

RUGBY RECRUITMENT DRIVE AT IRISH MATCH

The Berkshire Rugby Football Union are holding a recruitment drive at the London Irish home match this Sunday.  Spectators can test their strength against a scrummaging machine and leaflets and posters will also be distributed on Sunday.

'You don't have to be Superman to play rugby' is the message from Berkshire RFU, and their invasion of the Irish match will hopefully inspire a few budding Jonny Wilkinsons to try playing the game at amateur level.  Membership numbers of rugby clubs have been dwindling in recent years and Sunday's aim is not only to enrol new players, but also to entice those back who have let their playing careers lapse.

Eric Moyse, RFU Community Rugby Committee member, comments, "Potential players should contact me and I will put them in touch with the nearest club where a warm welcome and sustained support as you learn the game is guaranteed."  He also implores ex-players, "Get your boots on again and help your old club out.  You know what a good time you will have when you return and we would really love to welcome you back."

Berkshire Clubs looking for new players are: Aldermaston, Berkshire Shire Hall, Bracknell*, Broadmoor, Hungerford, Maidenhead, Newbury*, Reading*, Reading Abbey, Redingensians, Tadley, Thatcham and Windsor.

* Also run a women's section

Eric Moyse can be contacted on 0118 975 1216 / 07860 727372

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY

We are delighted to confirm that Events International, who operate the leading hospitality site at Twickenham, will be our official partner for hospitality at this season's RBS 6 Nations matches.

For information regarding the packages available, visit the website.

Please contact us for full details or a booking form on 01932 750113 or 01932 750114 or e-mail kelly.adey@london-irish.com or abigail.findlay@london-irish.com

INTERVIEW WITH ......

This week we have interviewed Phil Murphy, next week Gary Johnson will answer your questions. If you have any questions you would like us to put to Gary please email them to info@london-irish.com

BLARNEY ARCHIVE

As mentioned previously, there are still issues with sending the Blarney to AOL accounts, which is currently being looked in to.  Why not visit the Blarney Archive for recent issues.

THE BLARNEY

Over 6,600 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.