It’s getting down to crunch time in the RFU Championship and London Irish continue to push for an immediate return to the Premiership. With just five matches to play in the season they have an eight-point lead over Ealing and host Doncaster on Saturday. Nick Civetta will start in the second row for the Knights with former Utah Warriors flyhalf Kurt Morath also in the lineup.
The Trailfinders will have their eyes on a bonus-point win at Coventry. Ben Landry is named on the blindside flank this week with Andrew Durutalo on the bench. Both have been popular figures at the club this year and would like nothing more than to play the spoiler role.
Five Americas players will suit up in the most intriguing clash of the weekend at Goldington Road. Bedford Blues will have Canada’s Justin Blanchet on the blindside with the USA’s Will Hooley at flyhalf. The visiting Cornish Pirates will be led by Canadian lock Brett Beukeboom and have Matt Evans on the wing, with Argentina’s Javier Rojas at inside center.
The only Sunday game this week features Nottingham and Richmond at Lady Bay. Shane O’Leary has maintained his dominance over the Championship’s point scoring race all season and he should have plenty of opportunity to add to his total against the semi-pro visitors.