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London Irish allay cancellation fears by naming power-packed XV

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

London Irish have allayed fears that their final match of the Gallagher Premiership season might not take place as they have named a matchday squad featuring nearly all their star players. Skipper Matt Rogerson had suggested on Thursday that there was still a doubt about the game going ahead as his team hadn’t yet seen physical evidence that they were insured to play.

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“We have asked for tangible evidence that medical insurance is in place,” said Rogerson at the time following a week of negative headlines about the club. “We want to see a physical version or copy so that it is something that we can rely on.

“So far we have had verbal reassurance from the club that it is in place, but the next step for us is to have that reaffirmed with physical evidence. I’m also quietly confident that information should get out to us hopefully over the next 24, 48 hours, which will give us the confidence to go and play the game knowing that’s in place.”

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Charlie Ewels explains how he ended up playing at Loftus Versfeld

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Charlie Ewels explains how he ended up playing at Loftus Versfeld

The concerns at London Irish were ignited after payday last Friday came and went without the 130 players and staff at the club being remunerated. The Exiles are currently the subject of a takeover with American investors, and it wasn’t until Thursday evening that current owner Mick Crossan reportedly stepped in and paid the delayed salaries.

With that issue put to bed for now, it paved the way for director of rugby Declan Kidney to announce his team as planned at noon on Friday. A statement read: “Danilo Fischetti, Agustin Creevy and Oliver Hoskins form the front row, with Api Ratuniyarawa and Rob Simmons in the second row.

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“Matt Rogerson captains the side from the six shirt and is joined in the back row by Juan Martin Gonzalez and So’otala Fa’aso’o. Ben White and Paddy Jackson combine to form the halfback duo, and Rory Jennings links up with Benhard van Rensburg in the centres. Lucio Cinti, Ben Loader and Henry Arundell complete the line-up as the back three.”

Exeter, meanwhile, have made wholesale changes following last Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final loss to La Rochelle in Bordeaux. Just five of last weekend’s starters are retained. Henry Slade is one of them and will skipper the side from centre. He is joined in the backline by winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is set to make his first-ever Premiership start.

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Up front, Jannes Kirsten is the only confirmed departee who features. Jonny Gray’s knee injury and Dafydd Jenkins’ suspension mean the Chiefs are light in the engine room and he packs down alongside the recalled Jack Dunne.

LONDON IRISH: 15. Henry Arundell; 14. Ben Loader, 13. Benhard van Rensburg, 12. Rory Jennings, 11. Lucio Cinti; 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Ben White; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Agustin Creevy, 3. Oliver Hoskins, 4. Api Ratuniyarawa, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Matt Rogerson (capt), 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8. So’otala Fa’aso’o. Reps: 16. Mike Willemse, 17. Tarek Haffar, 18. Lovejoy Chawatama, 19. Josh Caulfield, 20. Tom Pearson, 21. Chandler Cunningham-South, 22. Joe Powell, 23. James Stokes.

EXETER: 15. Josh Hodge; 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade (capt), 12. Ollie Devoto, 11. Tom Wyatt; 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stu Townsend; 1. Alec Hepburn, 2. Jack Innard, 3. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4. Jannes Kirsten, 5. Jack Dunne, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Christ Tshiunza, 8. Greg Fisilau. Reps: 16. Iestyn Harris, 17. Billy Keast, 18. Marcus Street, 19. Mike Williams, 20. Aidon Davis, 21. Tom Cairns, 22. Tom Hendrickson, 23. Dan John.

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SK 2 hours ago
Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Probably the best 10 in the world right now and his talents are confined to League one in Japan. What a shame. Would be a pleasure to see him play week in and week out for bigger teams especially the All Blacks. The fact that he is committed to League one for another year along with Frizzell is a clear indication of how happy these 2 are in Japan and is something for the AB’s to consider seriously. These players play fewer games per year than most players, have more time off and they are highly respected by the Japanese in the set up. The salaries are also great so its easy to see why so many SA, Aus and NZ players now call League One home. The AB’s have now for too long discarded players before their sell by date. This is especially true for players over 30 and players who leave the set up. This history of discarding players means that anyone that goes on Sabbatical or leaves now is seen as expendable and will have to come back and fight for their place. I was shocked when comments emerged from NZ that Jordie Barrett needs to come back and prove himself again especially as there are performers in Super Rugby stepping up. He has nothing to prove to anyone as he proves time and time again that he is world class whether in a Leinster Jersey or Hurricanes one. Also no new Super Rugby newbie will be able to replace the experience Barrett has at the international level so any talk of that is folly. Its the same with Richie Mo'unga and Frizell. You can understand why the AB’s keep the eligibility rules in place but lets be honest, the days of thinking that there is a ready made replacement ready to step up are gone so the pundits in NZ need to stop acting like many of their best are easily replaced. The gap between Super Rugby and international rugby has grown. Its time the AB’s face up to that reality or face up to the new reality of more sub par 70% win rate years.

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