Match Preview: London Irish v Leeds Tykes

By Leedsexile on 14/04/2003
April 16 2003

After the amazing finale to the Quins game, the Tykes take to the road in good spirits and high in confidence as they try to maintain their push for a top three finish. The Tykes have handled the constant interruptions to their stop-start season well and will hope to continue this trend.

Hopefully a bumper bank holiday crowd will be present to see Leeds march on and hopefully to see Irish pushed nearer to the relegation trap door.

The Irish really are up against it at present with all of their matches now billed as must win games. No doubt we will be facing a totally committed and dedicated Irish side this week as they seek to put the disappointment of last weeks reversal at Bath behind them.

With such a tense nervy game looming it has potential to be resolved by the abilities of the kickers, both of them in top form and both of them crucial to their sides chances. The Irish have struggled to score tries this season and as the Tykes have yet to score a try bonus point, this puts them in the same category. However, the hopes are high that these trends will get bucked. Both sides have the pace in the backs to cross the line numerous times, but it seems both teams want to play to a more conservative game plan. Maybe it will be a mistake that settles the match, maybe a moment of genius - both teams have players who fit the genius bill.

There is no team news as yet, but the Tykes would look to remain unchanged from last week. The Irish had a tough game at Bath on Thursday but would have had a week to re-group, re-focus and look forward to this one. Danger men for the Tykes to watch out for are the lynchpin of the Irish team, Barry Everitt with his constant probing from fly half and for me, the raw pace of Paul Sackey. If the game is spread, watch him burn up the ground. That is not to say that the Tykes are lacking in pace, Scabs (if recovered from last weeks injury) and Diego are no slouches.

Leeds handled the news of BVS and Benton's departures well in the last game, lets hope that they can put the news about Chris Murphy's departure to Pau to the back of their minds and give the travelling support a great day out. The news of Zac, Dicko and Holt will be something to keep us all cheerful!

So Sunday will see two teams going head to head for the win, but for totally different reasons; fingers crossed for the right result: A big Tykes win!