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Match report | Tigers beaten at London Irish

Figure image

London Irish scored a bonus-point victory over Leicester Tigers on a disappointing afternoon for Geordan Murphy’s men at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

The teams occupied the bottom two places in the Gallagher Premiership table after Saturday’s results in Round 4 and tries from Ollie Hoskins and Ben Loader in the first 20 minutes put Irish on their way to a 36-11 triumph.

In a first half punctuated by penalties and scrums, Tigers registered just two penalty kicks from Tom Hardwick before a controversial score from Ruan Botha in added time made it 22-6 in favour of the hosts at the break.

The second period continued in a similar fractious and disjointed manner with Waisake Naholo adding a fourth try for the hosts and then Tom Parton the fifth as Tigers failed to register a point until Jonah Holmes dotted down in the final play.

Back-rower Jordan Taufua made his Tigers debut but Hanro Liebenberg and Tatafu Polota-Nau joined Tommy Reffell, Will Spencer, Kyle Eastmond and full-back Telusa Veainu, who was injured in the win over Gloucester in Round 3, on the sidelines. Sam Aspland-Robinson was ruled out on the day of the game too, with Ifereimi Boladau coming on to the bench.

Tigers, wearing the club’s fluoro-red alternate kit and poppy armbands in this Remembrance Sunday fixture, got the game under way and had immediate advantage from a knock-on but were kept out in the area around the Irish 22-metre line.

Irish eventually made their way out and earned three penalties on the right side before creating a breakthrough score for prop Hoskins from a lineout drive.

Hardwick then kicked his opening points with a penalty given for offside 35 metres out.

After failing to exit cleanly from the restart, Tigers were again blown for offside on the blindside of a ruck and defended another close-range lineout before Irish were held up on the tryline.

At the intervention of the television match official, though, Tigers were awarded a penalty for a neck-roll on Guy Thompson.

But they cleared only 20 metres upfield, and then spilled ball at the lineout which proved costly as Irish attacked from the scrum to score a second try through wing Loader. Stephen Myler’s conversion made it 12-3 with a quarter of the game played.

Greg Bateman and flanker Thompson combined in attack and this time infringed on the floor and Hardwick added the kick from 20 metres to pull his team within a score at 12-6.

The period approaching half-time was going to be crucial and Myler supplied another three points with a 40-metre penalty to stretch the lead two minutes from the break.

But worse was to follow for the visitors as Tigers lost ball in attack with 40 minutes already elapsed and Irish quickly countered to allow Botha to force his way over on the left.

Referee Doyle was called back to check for a potential forward pass and TMO Sean Davey believed the ball had left the hand of the Irish player three yards short of his own 22 and was caught on the line. But, after watching the replays, the officials on the field called it flat and went with the original verdict of a try. Myler added the kick to make it 22-6.

Tigers began the second period with Facundo Gigena and Ifereimi Boladau on for Bateman and Taufua.

The whistle continued to punctuate proceedings with Irish receiving a warning from Doyle for repeated infringements in the corner. After three separate lineout drives, they kept Tigers out, but gave away two more penalties near halfway with Tigers in possession.

Ferocious defence hit another lineout drive in the same corner before a flare-up among the forwards which brought another talking-to from the referee for both captains.

Tomas Lavanini joined the pack on 55 minutes with play bogged down between set-pieces in the central third of the field and Tigers created their best opportunity when Forsyth burst through on an arc in midfield but the chance went begging when he missed Holmes with the pass inside.

Then, when Tigers lost ball under a high kick on their 22, Irish quickly switched play with a kick out to Naholo, who managed to dot down under pressure from Holmes in the corner for their bonus-point score. Myler struck the conversion well to make it 29-6 on 66 minutes.

Irish saw out the last few minutes with 14 men when replacement Matt Rogerson received a yellow card for 'team offences' but they held out a promising Tigers attack in the corner and were then penalised for barging Lavanini over a ruck as they defended their own line.

Tigers kept them pinned back, but then conceded a fifth try when they spilled ball 20 metres out and Irish replacement Tom Parton raced away 80 metres to dive in under the posts. Nick Phipps added the kick to stretch the lead.

Holmes grabbed his team’s first points since the opening half-hour when he slid into the left-hand corner in the last attack of the game, but Hardwick was just short of the near post with his conversion kick.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

LON 22-6 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

LON 36-11 LEI

Attendance

5,324

Referee

JP Doyle

London Irish
London Irish
36

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
11
London Irish
T
T
C
P
T
C
T
C
T
C
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
P
P
T

Match Stats

London Irish
Leicester Tigers
Possession
38%
62%
Territory
39%
61%
Penalties Conceded
19
13
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
163/198 82%
84/98 86%
Scrums Won
3/3 100%
6/6 100%
Lineouts Won
17/19 89%
19/19 100%

Player Stats

London Irish
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Jonah Holmes1T
14Adam Thompstone
13
122P
11Jordan Olowofela
10Noel Reid
9Sam Harrison
1Greg Bateman
2Tom Youngs
3Joe Heyes
4Harry Wells
5Calum Green
6Sione Kalamafoni
7Guy Thompson
8Jordan Taufua
16Charlie Clare
17Facundo Gigena
18Nephi Leatigaga
19Tomas Lavanini
20
21
22Ben White
23George Worth

Commentary

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Thank you to those of you who followed this afternoon's action on Matchday Live.

The Gallagher Premiership now takes a two-week break, with Tigers back in action against French club Pau in the European Challenge Cup next Saturday, November 16 (3.00pm). We'll see you back at Welford Road.

FULL TIME | 36-11

Tigers come away from the Madejski Stadium empty-handed after a scrappy affair in Round 4 of the Gallagher Premiership.

80

CONVERSION MISSED

...and that pretty much sums up the day. Hardwick's conversion attempt from the touchline slides wide, and that's the game.

CONSOLATION TRY

White goes quickly from the mark, and the ball comes out to the left for Jonah Holmes to sprint over for a consolation try.

80

FINAL PLAY

Ben White bursts through off the back of a Tigers scrum, but is brought down illegally in front of the posts. Leicester will have the final play.

AND THE EXTRAS

Nick Phipps converts the try with just over a minute remaining in this match.

INTERCEPTION TRY

Tigers hit it up in the final quarter of the pitch, but Tom Parton pounces on a loose pass to run in an interception try.

FINAL CHANGE

Paddy Jackson comes off for blood, and Matt Williams joins play as Irish empty their bench.

77

PENALTY AT THE RUCK

Lavanini is taken out at the side of the ruck as Irish give away a soft penalty in their 22. Hardwick goes for the corner once more.

WHITE FOR HARRISON

Ben White joins the fray, in place of Sam Harrison.

YELLOW CARD!

Matt Rogerson is shown a yellow card, and the home side will be down to 14 men for the remainder of the match.

74

TO ME, TO YOU

Tigers hold strong at the scrum, and Harrison creates a neat move with Hardwick as the ball is shipped out quickly to the right.

CHANGE AT 8

Albert Tuisue is off the field, replaced by George Nott.

72

IRISH KNOCK ON

Irish knock on, and despite playing on with the advantage, Doyle brings Tigers back for the scrum just inside their own 22.

70

HOLMES CLEARS UP

Irish press on into the final quarter off the pitch from their lineout, with Jackson - now operating at fly-half - trying to find Naholo with a kick through.

Jonah Holmes gets there first, though, and puts boot to ball with a decent clearance kick.

PROP CHANGE

Exiles try-scorer Ollie Hoskins is replaced by Lovejoy Chawatama at tighthead as the home side kick into the Leicester 22.

67

SLICK HANDS

Some neat touches from the Tigers front row as the game gets back underway, with Leatigaga feeding the runner and Gigena putting in a neat pass moments later.

COGHLAN FOR KALAMAFONI

Jordan Coghlan is on in the Tigers back row in place of Sione Kalamafoni.

MYLER OFF

Myler takes a seat among the replacements as Tom Parton runs onto the field.

CONVERSION ADDED

The touchline conversion from Myler is through, and Irish lead 29 points to six.

BONUS-POINT TRY

London Irish have their fourth try after working the ball out to Waisake Naholo on the right wing, who powers through Jonah Holmes to touch down.

63

SHOW-AND-GO

Clare's first involvement is a throw to the new captain, and the ball is worked up to halfway with another big carry from Boladau before a show-and-go, then half-break, from Harrison.

CHANGE AT HOOKER

Charlie Clare replaces Tom Youngs in the Tigers front row, and Calum Green will take on the captaincy.

61

AGONISING PLAY

Tigers think they're through on the right, but the pass is beyond the reach of fly-half Reid. Tough stuff after a slick switch in midfield.

WORTH ON

Jordan Olowofela has to be helped from the field as he is replaced by George Worth in the visitors' backline.

PHIPPS ON FOR DEBUT

Australia international Nick Phipps is on for his London Irish debut, in place of Ben Meehan at scrum-half.

59

IRISH MARCH ON

The home side win a penalty as the game restarts, and kick to the corner for a lineout throw.

HOME REPLACEMENT

TJ Ioane is replaced by Matt Rogerson in the Irish back row.

LEATIGAGA FOR HEYES

Another hour-long shift from Joe Heyes, as Nephi Leatigaga takes his place on the field.

56

HIGH BALL HARRISON

The scrum-half is immediately involved as he clears his lines with a decent box kick over Irish heads.

Loader takes it, but Tigers win the ball back and push forward through Lavanini and co.

LOCK SWAP

Tomás Lavanini is onto the field in place of Harry Wells.

55

CRUNCHING TACKLE

Another breakdown penalty, but this one goes Tigers' away. Hardwick kicks clear once more.

The ball comes off the top of the lineout, and there's a neat piece of play from scrum-half Sam Harrison, who is folded in half as he kicks the ball through. He's up and back into the action, and we'll restart with a scrum.

CHANGE AT LOOSEHEAD

The home side swap Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi for Allan Dell.

53

MOMENTUM SHIFT

Irish win the ball back as the game restarts, and then Myler spots a patch of clear grass behind the Tigers line. He dinks through and finds touch on the far side.

51

TEMPERS BOIL OVER

Tigers take umbrage with an iffy-looking clearout on halfway, and Doyle has to break the two packs apart. The referee takes a look on the big screens, but decides there's nothing in it.

51

NOT THIS TIME

Harrison uses the ball off the back of another heavy maul, and the ball comes back to the left at first, before switching back to the right.

Kalamafoni finds himself as the last man on the wing with an overlap, but the final pass is behind him and the ball bobbles into touch.

49

CAUGHT IN CONTACT

Tigers haven't added any points in this second half so far, but it's not through any lack of trying. Some more big carries across the field - with a special mention to replacement prop Gigena - and Hardwick is caught awkwardly as he slips into the final tackle.

He's alright, though, and kick to touch for another Tigers throw.

LONDON IRISH CHANGE

Moto Matu'u joins play as he replaces hooker Saia Fainga'a.

45

IRISH WARNING

The Exiles go off their feet as the game restarts, and Doyle warns the defending team that the next offence will be a yellow card.

But they win a turnover five metres out from their line and kick clear.

44

CHECK WITH TMO

Sione Kalamafoni takes the throw, and Tigers set up a drive well into the home 22. An Irish defender is caught diving in dangerously, though, and after a check with TMO Sean Davey it's a penalty only.

42

EARLY CARRIES

Boladau is into the action immediately, as one of several big bodies trucking the ball deep into the Irish 22. Tigers win a penalty in front of the posts, but opt to kick to the corner instead.

HALF-TIME CHANGES

A couple of changes at half-time for Tigers, as Facundo Gigena replaces Greg Bateman and Ifereimi Boladau takes the place of Jordan Taufua, who is off for a HIA.

SECOND HALF IS GO

Paddy Jackson puts boot to ball to start the second half at the Madejski Stadium.

HALF TIME | 22-6

Tigers trail at the break after three Exiles tries in the first half. Plenty for Geordan Murphy's men to do after the break...

FINAL POINTS OF THE HALF

Myler's conversion squeaks through inside the upright, and that's the final points of the first half.

TRY AWARDED

...and the try is awarded, with Ruan Botha the scorer.

40

TMO: FORWARD PASS?

...and the Exiles think they're over the line. But we'll check for a forward pass in the build-up...

40

LEICESTER LINEOUT

Tom Youngs feeds the ball into the lineout as the clock ticks dead, and Harrison has to use it from the back of a stationary maul.

Hardwick slips through two tackles deep into the 22, but the ball is spilled moments later into Irish hands...

39

HEAVY CARRIES

Tigers try to finish this half with a flourish as they put in some real heavy-duty carries. Hardwick feeds outside centre Andy Forsyth, who is wrapped up in midfield, before the ball gets out to Taufua. Once again, it takes more than one man to get him to ground.

THROUGH THE UPRIGHTS

Myler's penalty splits the uprights, and puts the home side 15 points to six ahead with a couple of minutes remaining in this first half.

36

PENALTY ADVANTAGE

The Exiles win penalty advantage for an accidental offside on halfway, but it doesn't stop scrum-half Harrison going for an intercept, and grabbing the ball from his man. We'll come back for an Irish kick at goal.

34

PENALTY REVERSED

Irish give away a penalty on halfway for not rolling, but it's reversed for the Tigers pack's *ahem* 'communication' with the ref in the last couple of phases.

A warning for Taufua from JP Doyle, there.

32

LONG THROW

Tigers have a lineout throw inside their 22, and Harry Wells climbs highest - beyond the 15-metre line - to claim the ball. The Leicester pack set up a maul, but the home side are done for pulling it down.

31

OLOWOFELA CARRIES HARD

Irish decide to test the other side of the pitch with their next high ball, this time to Tigers wing Jordan Olowofela.

The young man plucks the ball out of the air brilliantly, and carries on where he left off lats week with a big carry up to the green line.

30

PUSHING CONTEST

Referee Doyle speaks to both front rows ahead of this next scrum, just inside the home 22.

Meehan feeds, and puts in a speculative box kick down Holmes' throat. The Wales international does much better with his return.

30

ANOTHER KNOCK ON

A slick move off the back of the lineout goes awry as Jonah Holmes knocks on in midfield, and we'll pause for some treatment to Leicester loosehead Bateman.

29

BIG CARRY

A spot of kick tennis at the restart as Jackson pins Harrison back into the Tigers half, but the scrum-half feeds new boy Jordan Taufua ... and he takes some tackling!

We count three defenders to get the Tigers No8 to ground, but they give away the penalty. Hardwick kicks to touch.

TWO FROM TWO

Hardwick's second kick at goal is successful, and brings Tigers within six points.

26

BATEMAN BREAKS THROUGH

Greg Bateman makes another of his trademark breaks through midfield, and Thompson is there in support to make a few more metres, but he finds a group of Irish defenders.

They're over the ball illegally, though, and Hardwick points to the posts...

25

WHISTLE BLOWN

Sam Harrison feeds, and the ball is in for a looong time ... before Doyle awards Tigers the penalty. Nice work from Joe Heyes at tighthead.

24

KNOCK ON

The home side win another lineout and bat the ball back, but Myler meets a fluoro-red wall on the left. His scrum-half gets the ball over to the right, but there's a knock-on on the far side, and we'll come back for a Tigers scrum on the edge of the 22.

EXTRAS ADDED

Myler's conversion attempt is good, and Irish lead 12 points to three.

EXILES TRY

Tigers make a contest of it at the scrum, but Meehan gets the ball out quickly to set up wing Ben Loader, who breaks a tackle to score.

19

SCRUM DOWN

Calum Green claims the skipper's lineout throw, but the next phase is a little scrappy, and the ball is lost. Irish scrum.

18

NECK ROLL?

...but as we prepare to restart, TMO Sean Davey is onto to Doyle with evidence of a neck roll against Guy Thompson, and Tigers have a penalty. Hardwick kicks clear to relieve the pressure once more.

18

QUICK BREATHER

The Exiles set up another drive, but resort to one-out runners as they approach the try line. They manage to get over, but it's adjudged held up, so we'll restart with a scrum.

17

OFFSIDE ... AGAIN

The match officials are really hot on the offside line this afternoon. This time it's second-rower Harry Wells singled out for Tigers, and Irish win another throw within the Leicester red zone.

THREE FROM THE BOOT

...and the kick is good. Hardwick's three-pointer gets Tigers on the board with a quarter of an hour played.

14

SHOT AT GOAL

And it's Tigers on the right side of JP Doyle once again at the next breakdown, as the home side are pinged for offside. Hardwick sets up a shot at the posts...

13

GUY ON THE WING

Thompson is looking lively with ball in hand once again, this time with a break down the right wing. He's stopped with an almighty crash from the Irish defender, but it's nice idea.

12

PRESSURE RELIEVED

...but it's not long before the Tigers pack win a breakdown penalty of their own, and Hardwick puts boot to ball for a Leicester throw beyond halfway.

10

FOOTBALL SKILLS

Tigers look to hit back immediately from the restart, and put the ball through the hands to the right. Reid tries a cheeky chip through, but full-back Paddy Jackson blocks the ball with his shins and hacks ahead.

Reid is then pinged for offside a couple of phases later, and Irish kick to touch just outside the Tigers 22.

8

CONVERSION WIDE

Myler's conversion attempt is wide, and Irish have a five-point lead with eight minutes gone.

IRISH OVER

Third time lucky, Irish set up a rolling maul and get over the line through brute strength for the game's opening try.

6

TAKE TWO

Scrum-half Ben Meehan thinks he's through from the throw on Tigers' five-metre line, but referee JP Doyle brings it back for a reset throw.

Irish win a penalty as Tigers go off their feet, and the ball is booted into the stands once more...

4

THOMPSON CUTS THROUGH

The Irish throw goes awry, and Guy Thompson picks up at the back and spots a gap through the Exiles' line.

The home side win the ball back, though, and win another penalty for offside just past halfway. Stephen Myler kicks to the corner for another lineout.

2

PENALTY ON THE FLOOR

Tigers go right, but find a green wall so switch to the left with some clever inter-play between Hardwick and fly-half Noel Reid.

But it's going to be a tough battle at the breakdwon - from both teams - this afternoon, and Irish win the first penalty on the floor.

1

EARLY SCRUM

London Irish make a mess of the kick-off, and Tigers win an early scrum in the opposition 22.

Sam Harrison whips the ball out quickly...

KICK OFF IN ROUND 4

Tom Hardwick gets us going at the Madejski Stadium.

0

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

But first, there will be a minute's silence on this Remembrance Sunday.

0

Both sides take to the field here in Reading, and we're ready to go in the Gallagher Premiership. Stay tuned for kick-off, coming your way shortly...

0

FIVE MINUTES TO GO

Tom Youngs leads his team back into the dressing room after completing their final warm-ups on the Madejski pitch. Just moment to go until kick-off in Round 4...

0

CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy has made a late change to his matchday squad ahead of today’s game.

Back-rower Ifereimi Boladau comes onto the Tigers bench in place of No23 Sam Aspland-Robinson, meaning there will be a 6-2 split among the replacements.

Jordan Taufua’s inclusion in the starting side is the pick of a handful of changes to the team that beat Gloucester in Round 3. Telusa Veainu stands down as a precaution after injury against the Cherry and Whites, and so Jonah Holmes starts at full-back.

Irish include former Tigers centre Terrence Hepetema in the backline and give a debut to New Zealand international Waisake Naholo on the wing with Ireland international Paddy Jackson at full-back. Australia international scrum-half Nick Phipps will make his debut from among the replacements.

See the full match line-ups by clicking here, or scrolling down on this page.

0

OLOWOFELA CALLS FOR COOL HEADS

Leicester wing Jordan Olowofela has urged Tigers not to let a Round 3 win ‘go to our heads’ ahead of a tough trip to Reading.

The 21-year-old starred last time out at Welford Road, topping the charts for defenders beaten across the most recent round of Gallagher Premiership action.

“Obviously we don’t want to let [a win] go to our heads,” the Tigers Academy graduate told LeicesterTigers.com.

“We reviewed the game on Monday – what went well which we can keep, but also things that went wrong and that we’ve tweaked for this week.

“Each game is hard, and it’s anybody’s [game] out there … but we’re ready for London Irish.”

Catch more of the speedster’s Round 4 preview here.

0

TAUFUA READY TO GO ON DEBUT

Super Rugby-winning back-rower Jordan Taufua makes his Tigers debut this afternoon.

The high profile summer signing lines up at No8 in his first Premiership appearance, and told LTTV about what he can bring to the side earlier this week.

“For me, as a player ... I love running with the ball, running at people and love smashing people too,” he said. “I want to bring the energy. It’s what I thrive off.

“I know the last couple of years have been tough and hopefully I can come here and bring the energy … and bring Leicester back to what it has been in the past.”

Watch more of the New Zealander’s wide-ranging interview, including a chat about life in Leicester, his first conversation with Geordan Murphy and what supporters can expect from him, here.

0

TODAY’S MATCH PREVIEW

Geordan Murphy goes up against former national team boss Declan Kidney as Tigers take on London Irish this afternoon.

Murphy’s men take on the Exiles for the first time since the Reading-based outfit won promotion back to the top flight under director of rugby Kidney, the former coach of Ireland.

Irish began the season with a 29-26 win at Wasps but have lost to Sale Sharks and Saracens in the last two weeks while Tigers enjoyed a first win of the season in a 16-13 victory over Gloucester at Welford Road last weekend.

Read our full match preview here, or scroll down on this page.

0

WELCOME TO MATCHDAY LIVE!

We’re LIVE from the Madejski Stadium for Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership Round 4 match against London Irish, with kick-off at 2.30pm.

Follow all the action as it happens with our Matchday Live coverage, right here on the Tigers App and LeicesterTigers.com.


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Paddy Jackson
14
13
Curtis Rona
12
Terrence Hepetema
11
Ben Loader
10
Stephen Myler
9
Ben Meehan
1
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi
2
3
Oli Hoskins
4
Ruan Botha
5
6
7
TJ Ioane
8
Albert Tuisue

Replacements

16
17
Allan Dell
18
Lovejoy Chawatama
19
George Nott
20
Matt Rogerson
21
Nick Phipps
22
23
Tom Parton

Preview | Tigers at London Irish this Sunday

Geordan Murphy will see a lot of familiar faces in rival colours when Leicester Tigers travel to London Irish on Sunday, led by his former national team boss Declan Kidney.

Tigers go to the Madejski Stadium in Reading for the first time since the Exiles won promotion back to the top flight at the end of last season under director of rugby Kidney, the former coach of Ireland.

“Declan Kidney was one of my first age-group coaches,” said Tigers head coach Murphy. “He coached me at Ireland Under-21s and then for a long time with Ireland. I have nothing but respect for him.

“Then they’ve got Les Kiss who is a good rugby guy too, and George Skivington who I’ve played with and against, Declan Danaher who I’ve known for a long time playing and coaching.

“I’m impressed with the job they’ve done and the way they’ve built and the signings they made in the summer.”

Irish began the season with a 29-26 win at Wasps but have lost to Sale Sharks and Saracens in the last two weeks while Tigers enjoyed a first win of the season in a 16-13 victory over Gloucester at Welford Road last weekend.

“It was nice to do the reviews on Monday on the back of a win but it was important we could address some things too,” said Murphy. “We didn’t do everything we wanted to against Gloucester and we’ve reviewed the places we could be better and things we did wrong.

“We still had a few tough conversations and tough decisions to make on selection but it was undoubtedly better to come into work after a win rather than a loss.”

Tigers have won their last six meetings with Irish in all competitions but have won just once away from home in the Premiership in the last 12 months – at Newcastle in April.

The two teams have met on 64 previous occasions with Tigers winning 54 of those to nine by Irish and one game drawn.

In team news released on Friday, Tigers give a debut to back-rower Jordan Taufua but are without Hanro Liebenberg and Telusa Veainu this week.

Irish include former Tigers centre Terrence Hepetema in the backline and give a debut to New Zealand international Waisake Naholo on the wing with Ireland international Paddy Jackson at full-back. Australia international scrum-half Nick Phipps will make his debut from among the replacements.

Referee on Sunday is JP Doyle, in his 174th Premiership fixture in charge. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Tigers will wear the club’s fluoro red alternate kit at the Madejski Stadium and the players will wear poppy armbands in this Remembrance Sunday fixture.

Sunday’s game is not scheduled for live TV broadcast but you can keep up to date with the Tigers’ Matchday Live service and the club’s website and social media.

Match tickets are still available from the host club.

Team news | Tigers at London Irish

Jordan Taufua comes straight into the Tigers back row after his arrival from New Zealand
Jordan Taufua comes straight into the Tigers back row after his arrival from New Zealand

Back-rower Jordan Taufua will make his Leicester Tigers debut in Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership Round 4 game away to London Irish.

Taufua arrived in the country last week after ending his season in New Zealand with a Mitre10 Cup to go with his Super Rugby title win and goes straight into the Tigers team for Sunday’s trip to the Madejski Stadium.

He wears the No8 shirt and joins Guy Thompson and Sione Kalamafoni in the Tigers back row with Hanro Liebenberg ruled out this week.

Head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Like Tomás Lavanini last week, sometimes the best way to integrate a player is to get them into a match situation. Jordan is an experienced player, he’s a winner and we want him involved as quickly as we can.”

As well as Liebenberg, Tigers are without Tommy Reffell, Will Spencer and Kyle Eastmond as they work their way back from injury and Tatafu Polota-Nau is also ruled out.

Head coach Murphy confirmed that the six players who have returned from the England squad at the Rugby World Cup have not been considered for selection this week.

“We wanted to give those guys a bit of down time and told them to take a week off,” said Murphy. “They’ll report back next week and we’ll make decisions on their involvement from there.”

Telusa Veainu stands down this week after suffering a facial injury in the win over Gloucester in Round 3, allowing Jonah Holmes to switch to full-back with Adam Thompstone included on the wing against his former club.

Argentina international lock Lavanini, who made his debut against Gloucester, is again included among the replacements.

“Full credit to Tomas, he did a great job last week and we think he is only going to get better,” said Murphy.

Leicester Tigers (v London Irish, away, Sunday 2.30pm)

15 Jonah Holmes

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Andy Forsyth

12 Tom Hardwick

11 Jordan Olowofela

10 Noel Reid

9 Sam Harrison

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Joe Heyes

4 Harry Wells

5 Calum Green

6 Sione Kalamafoni

7 Guy Thompson

8 Jordan Taufua

Replacements

16 Charlie Clare

17 Facundo Gigena

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Tomás Lavanini

20 Jordan Coghlan

21 Ben White

22 George Worth

23 Sam Aspland-Robinson

London Irish: 15 Paddy Jackson, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Ben Meehan, 1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Ruan Botha, 5 Franco van der Merwe (c), 6 Blair Cowan, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Albert Tuisue

Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 George Nott, 20 Matt Rogerson, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Williams, 23 Tom Parton

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
10
London Irish
London IrishLON226115386633-24750886234
11
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI226115374609-23535791229
Form Guide
Form
WLWLW
Last Match
Beat Exeter Chiefs 17-14
Past Meeting
Lost 22-25
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
LWWLL
Last Match
Lost to Gloucester Rugby 25-27
Past Meeting
Won 25-22

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