Armitage back for Saracens battle

Fit-again England fullback Delon Armitage has been restored to the London Irish starting line-up for Sunday's mouth-watering Guinness Premiership clash against Saracens at the Madejski Stadium.

Having returned to action for the 'Exiles' with a try-scoring appearance off the bench in last weekend's win over Brive in the Heineken Cup, Armitage - who has recovered fully from shoulder surgery which kept him out of England's November Tests - will start in his favoured No.15 position.

In the only change in personnel from last week's starting XV, Peter Hewat switches to the left-wing to accommodate Armitage's return, with John Rudd moving down to the replacements bench.

"We rediscovered our early-season try-scoring form over the past fortnight in the back-to-back matches with Brive in the Heineken Cup," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth.

"Not only did that bring a timely confidence boost for all concerned, it was also encouraging to see that seven different players from both backs and forwards touched down for important scores."

Looking ahead to his 'mini-battle' with Saracens Director of Rugby Brendan Venter, Booth added: "As every follower of club rugby in these parts knows Brendan Venter, who ranks among the best of our former players and coaches.

"Brendan's achievements in the game speak for themselves and he is already leaving his mark on the 'Men in Black'. We will have to produce an outstanding performance if we are to beat his team. With the enthusiastic backing of our supporters I'm confident that we can do so."

Venter's Saracens team, meanwhile, has been boosted by the return of England captain Steve Borthwick who takes over the captaincy from the second row.

Italian internationals Matias Aguero and Fabio Ongaro both start in the Saracens front row, as does former 'Exiles' prop Richard Skuse, whilst South African Ernst Joubert returns at No.8.

On the bench, Schalk Brits (hooker), Carlos Nieto (prop) and flyhalf Derick Hougaard - all of whom are full-Test internationals - also come back into reckoning after being rested.

"We had a very close game against London Irish earlier in the season and this should be another exciting game," said Venter, who has guided his new team to the top of the Guinness Premiership standings.

"After a spell on rotation, we've brought back a number of players into the side ahead of what is a very buy Christmas period against London Irish and then Leicester Tigers. We're really looking forward to it."

The teams:

London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Tom Homer, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Peter Hewat, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Alfredo Lalanne, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Bob Casey(captain), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 Kieran Roche, 20 George Stowers, 21 John Rudd, 22 Peter Richards, 23 Ryan Lamb.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Rodd Penney, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Moses Rauluni, 22 Derick Hougaard, 23 Richard Haughton.

Date: Sunday, December 27
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00
Referee: Dean Richards
Assistant referees: Ken Stewart, Roger Baileff
Television match official: Bob Ockenden