Surrey County Rugby News

Madejski Stadium will host this year's biggest attendance to date for a Guinness Premiership match when London Irish entertains Northampton in Sunday's St. Patrick's Celebration fixture.

The Exiles show confidence in the players that recorded a five-try, bonus point-winning performance last weekend by making only one change to the starting line-up of the team that defeated Worcester. Steffon Armitage starts at openside flanker with Declan Danaher moving to blindside.

David Paice is named among the replacements having completed his suspension. Mike Catt captains the team.

"On Sunday afternoon we play an in-form Northampton Saints team that has just recorded their first away win in the Premiership," said Toby Booth, London Irish Head Coach.

"They are a well coached, talented team that likes to play attractive rugby. With over 20,000 in the stadium it will be a 'craicing' atmosphere in which both teams will want to perform to their best."

Meanwhile, Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder wants his team to continue their recent good momentum in Reading. memorials

Northampton head to London Irish in Round 18 of the Guinness Premiership on the back of two successive wins, including a first away Guinness Premiership win of the season at Worcester Warriors a fortnight ago.

Although Guinness Premiership safety is assured, Mallinder says that there is plenty for the players to strive for, not least another away win.

"We've shown we can play away now and it's time to push on and show that the Worcester game was not a one-off," he said.

"There will be a big atmosphere at the Majedski Stadium on Sunday and we want to perform well in front of a packed stadium and TV audience at home.

"We will have our work cut out against London Irish, who have an exciting team with some great players. They have been one of the teams that has set the standard in the Guinness Premiership this season and have an excellent scoring record.

"Their forwards have produced good ball every game and out wide the strike runners are always a threat. Their centres Seilala Mapusua and Elvis Seveali'I in particular have had good seasons and Mike Catt has shown his quality and experience many times during the campaign.

"However we have played well recently and against Sale we put our game plan into action and reaped the rewards. We've won two Guinness Premiership matches on the trot and want to keep that momentum going until the end of the season."

Form: London Irish's six game winless run came to an end with their 38-17 victory over Worcester at Reading on Sunday. The Exiles have gained a try bonus point in six of their last seven games in all competitions. Northampton Saints have won back to back matches in the Guinness Premiership against Worcester and Sale. The Saints' long barren run away from home in the Premiership ended at Worcester on 7 March, but they have not won successive away games in the competition since the end of the 2005/06 season. The last four encounters between the two clubs have been won by the home side on the day, whilst Northampton's most recent win at Madejski Stadium was 22-21 on 27 December 2004.