Amlin Challenge Cup
Geraghty to lead Irish in Amlin
ESPN Staff
January 10, 2013
London Irish centre Jonathan Joseph tries to power his way through the Northampton Saints' defence, London Irish v Northampton Saints, Aviva Premiership, Majeski Stadium, Reading, England, October 6, 2012.
Jonathan Joseph will start on the wing for London Irish © Getty Images
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Fly-half Shane Geraghty will captain London Irish as they resume their Amlin Challenge Cup campaign against Pool One rivals Mont-de-Marsan on Thursday at the Stade Guy Boniface.

Irish, who are currently second in the Pool, will also start with Guy Armitage and Steve Shingler in the centres with Jonathan Joseph switching to wing to form a back three with Marlon Yarde and Anthony Watson.

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith said: "We enjoyed a good win over Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership last week and it is important the squad build some momentum off that performance. They have prepared well this week and are looking forward to a physical challenge in France."

On Friday Gloucester will also travel to France for their Pool One match against struggling Bordeaux. The Cherry and Whites have won four from four so far in the competition while the Begles have only managed to secure one bonus point from four matches. Gloucester boss Nigel Davies has included Jonny May and Henry Trinder in their XV. May has been sidelined since September while Trinder has also been forced to spend time out of action through injury. Also returning to the starting line up are Tim Molenaar, Dan Robson, Darren Dawidiuk, Dario Chistolini and skipper Jim Hamilton.

A jam-packed Saturday schedule will see four English sides in action with the pick of the bunch being Bath's home match against Agen in Pool Four. While Bath are yet to lose a match, amassing 173 points so far, Agen are their closest rivals in the Pool with 12 points overall.

Elsewhere, London Welsh will play host to Italians Cavalieri Prato in a crucial encounter in Pool Five. Welsh sit just two points behind second placed Grenoble.

Worcester will be hoping to maintain their top spot in Pool Two with a win over bottom-placed Rovigo. The Warriors are tied on 15 points with Perpignan in the competition.

The final encounter of the weekend will be London Wasps against Mogliano in Pool Three. Wasps have won three from four and are top with 16 points. Mogliano are yet to record a point in the Pool.

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