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Creevy to debut in London Irish starting XV for Saracens that includes 9 products of their academy
By Online Editors
London Irish are set to showcase their academy prowess, confirming a squad heavy with home-grown talent to host Saracens at The Stoop on Monday for Round 17 of the Gallagher Premiership.
Declan Kidney has named nine players in the starting XV who have come through, or are still in, the London Irish Academy, whilst also handing debuts to Agustin Creevy and Dan Norton, if the latter is required from the replacements.
Will Goodrick-Clarke and Lovejoy Chawatama accompany debutant Argentina international Agustin Creevy in the front row, with Ben Donnell and Chunya Munga combining in the second row.
Jack Cooke will look to continue his good run of form from blindside flanker and Isaac Curtis-Harris is named at openside flanker. Matt Rogerson completes the pack from number 8 and captains the side.
Rory Brand starts at scrum-half, after making his Premiership debut in Irish’s previous fixture, and is joined in the halfbacks by Jacob Atkins. Matt Williams and Curtis Rona form the centre partnership.
Ross Neal and James Stokes start on either wing, with Tom Parton set to wear the 15 jersey.
“Nine members of the starting XV have been in the London Irish Academy at some point, and that is a credit to work that goes on behind the scenes” said Declan Kidney, Director of Rugby.
“We know that Monday’s match against Saracens will be a challenge due to the quality of their squad, but it is a good chance for us to test ourselves against a great side and we are looking forward to it.”
London Irish:
15 Tom Parton, 14 James Stokes, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Matt Williams, 11 Ross Neal, 10 Jacob Atkins, 9 Rory Brand, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Agustin Creevy, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 4 Ben Donnell, 5 Chunya Munga, 6 Jack Cooke, 7 Isaac Curtis-Harris, 8 Matt Rogerson ©
Replacements:
16 Matt Cornish, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Caolan Englefield, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Dan Norton
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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