Bristol and Irish team news ahead of Sunday

Returns to squad
By Duncan Wood
November 15 2002

Bristol have named a 22 man squad ahead of Sunday's league clash. London Irish have named their starting lineup. Both teams lose international players and have to shuffle their lineups.

Bristol have named a 22 man squad but London Irish have named their starting lineup.

There are two changes to the London Irish starting line-up from the team that played Gloucester on Sunday last. Paul Sackey returns on the left wing in place of Justin Bishop who is with the Ireland squad as is Kieron Dawson.

Declan Danaher replaces the latter having recovered from injury (arm). Unavailable for selection because of injury are Geoff Appleford (knee), Kevin Burke (knee), and Bob Casey (foot).

The Shoguns are looking to build on last Sunday's 38-10 win over Newcastle and will be boosted by the return to the 22-man squad of both Ben Sturnham
and David Rees.

Sturnham returns after a speedy recovery from a knee operation and replaces Academy star Chris Morgan in the 22.

Commenting on the official Bristol Shoguns website, www.bristolshoguns.co.uk, head coach Peter Thorburn said:

"Chris was unfortunate to miss out. His improvement during the last few months has been impressive. He's on a good growth and development path which we want him to continue on. Ben has been back in training for two weeks, and it's time for him to step up to the first team."

Peter Thorburn added: "London Irish are a dangerous side who had a great year last season. I first came up against them in one of my first games as part of the Shoguns coaching team in March.

"Their personnel has changed very little since then and they're a difficult team to play. Irish will be as hungry to win as us, as both teams know how much the points mean to the Premiership standings."

Both openside flanker Michael Lipman and centre Martin Shaw miss out through injury. Lipman misses out his second game since picking up a knock against the Sharks that he hasn't fully recovered from. Shaw has an Achilles injury that was first picked up a few weeks back.

Other players still missing include full back Jamie Williams, who is running well after a knee ligament injury and Andrew Sheridan who is also running and back doing weights. Club captain Ross Beattie is targeting a December return. Thorburn added: "Sherry's rehab is going well, as is Ross Beattie's."

The Shoguns will be without their Argentine half-back pairing of Pichot and Contepomi who will be on international duty against Italy this weekend. Peter Richards and Shane Drahm are set to come in.

The Bristol Shoguns squad and London Irish team are as follows:

Thanks to both clubs for their press releases.