Irish as a change from Welsh...

 

 

So, after 2 successful weeks for us in the LV= Cup, this week sees us return to Premiership action and travel to the MadStad to face London Irish. I must admit that I have a soft spot for    L. Irish as my cousin is one of their season ticket holders. I have enjoyed some friendly banter with her over the last few seasons, especially after our last encounter at Sandy park when we got our first win against them (18-11), so at present I hold the bragging rights.

 

Our previous Premiership games against them have seen us lose 3 out of 4. In our first game against them at SP we were narrowly beaten 12-9 in a kicking contest. Our encounter with them at the MadStad later that season for the St Patricks day game (who can forget that day out ), we got off to a disastrous start conceding 2 early tries and we never recovered, going down 39-17. Our away game last season saw another tight game where we managed to get another LBP, losing out 29-22. and we then beat them at home in March this year.

 

It's fair to say that L.Irish have seen some major changes during the summer both in coaching staff and players and these, along with injuries to key players maybe the reasons for their indifferent start to the season. Some of those players have now returned from injury and the likes of Corbiseiro and Tomas O'Leary, to name only 2, should feature on Saturday. On the subject of their injuries, I know I speak for us all when I say we all continue to wish Joe Ansbro a full and speedy recovery from his shocking injury, he has now had the metal halo removed  and is apparently due back at L. Irish this week to continue his rehab.

Although Irish have only won 2 premiership games so far this season, those were against Bath (29-22) and most notably Saints (39-17) and also but for a dubious last minute try they would have beaten Quins. So when they click, Irish are more than a match for anyone and when they won the J P Morgan 7's earlier this year many probably thought they could be the team to watch this season.

 

With the Chiefs still looking for our first Premiership away win of the season and Irish needing to pull away from the danger zone it has all the makings of a cracking game.

 

For the first time since our home Championship final game against Bristol, Mrs 50p will be accompanying me to a Chiefs game as we are having a weekend away and staying with my cousin, I have had to agree to a few hours shopping beforehand though. Hopefully I will still have the bragging rights come 5pm on Sunday.

 

Team selection will be very interesting for this game as a number of those who featured in the LV= Cup matches have certainly made a case for themselves to be included, along with the usual first choice players being rested and probably chomping at the bit to get going again.

 

So, a safe trip to all those making the journey to Reading, I will see you there, and if I was going to make a prediction, which I don't normally like to do, I would say that ................................. I'm definitely going to have too much to drink! Oh and Chiefs to win by 9 pts.