Guinness Premiership
Exiles welcome back Armitage
Scrum.com
February 13, 2009
London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage in action against Wasps at Twickenham, September 6 2008
Steffon Armitage returns to bolster the London Irish back-row © Getty Images
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London Irish have received a boost ahead of their derby meeting with Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday with the return of Steffon Armitage to their back-row.

After making his England debut against Italy last weekend Armitage is back on domestic action, and packs down alongside Richard Thorpe and Chris Hala'Ufia in the back-row. Mike Catt starts at fly-half outside Alfredo Lalanne with Peter Hewat, Topsy Ojo and Adam Thompstone starting in the back-three.

"Tomorrow's visitors are less affected by international call-ups than ourselves and will provide formidable opposition," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth. "The club has a squad of real quality as anyone that saw their wins over Stade Français in the Heineken Cup will confirm.

"Not only are there top class individual players in key positions, they also have a back row that features Saxons players that are among the best in the country. They push the laws to the limit and we - and the referee, need to be mindful of the threat they will pose."

Quins have also recived a boost from the England squad as Ugo Monye makes his return to action after recovering from a back injury. Monye joins Tom Williams on the wing, with his fellow England international David Strettle moving to the bench.

Mike Ross is away with Ireland 'A', meaning that Mark Lamber slots in to the front-row.

London Irish: Peter Hewat, Topsy Ojo, Elvis Seveali'i, Seilala Mapusua, Adam Thompstone; Mike Catt (capt), Alfredo Lalanne; Clarke Dermody, David Paice, Tonga Lea'aetoa, Gary Johnson, James Hudson, Richard Thorpe, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala'Ufia

Replacements: Alex Corbisiero, James Buckland, Matthew Garvey, Jonathon Fisher, Charlie Gower, Peter Richards, James Bailey

Harlequins: Mike Brown, Tom Williams, Gonzalo Tiesi, Jordan Turner-Hall, Ugo Monye; Nick Evans, Andy Gomarsall; Ceri Jones, Gary Botha, Mark Lambert, Ollie Kohn, George Robson, Chris Robshaw, Will Skinner (capt), Tom Guest

Replacements: Chris Brooker, Peter Bracken, Jim Evans, Neil McMillan, Junior Polu, Chris Malone, David Strettle

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