Date: Fri 21 Sep 2012

Ian Humphreys will play his first match for London Irish tomorrow afternoon when he takes the field against Bath in the Aviva Premiership at Madejski Stadium (kick off 3pm).

Humphreys, who will form a half back combination with Tomás O’Leary, is one of four changes made by Brian Smith. Halani Aulika will start his first match for the Exiles lining up alongside Scott Lawson and Max Lahiff in the front row. Matt Garvey joins Bryn Evans in the second row and Jamie Gibson has recovered from injury to be named in the back row. Steven Shingler moves from fly half to inside centre.

Brian Smith said: “Bath have made a good start to the season and have an excellent coaching and playing staff. Things are not currently where we want them to be but the season is a marathon so we have time to make up the lost ground. We’ve done some very good things over the past few weeks and we need to build on these positives.”

London Irish team to face Bath

15. Tom Homer; 14. Topsy Ojo*13. Jonathan Joseph*; 12. Steven Shingler; 11. Marland Yarde 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Tomás O’Leary*; 1. Max Lahiff; 2. Scott Lawson*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. Bryn Evans; 5. Matt Garvey; 6. Declan Danaher (Captain); 7. Jamie Gibson; 8. Ofisa Treviranus*

Replacements: 16. David Paice*; 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa*; 18. Alan Cotter; 19. George Skivington; 20. Jon Fisher; 21. Anthony Watson; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Jack Moates

*Denotes Internationals

Bath Rugby team to face London Irish

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Kyle Eastmond
13. Dan Hipkiss
12. Ben Williams
11. Tom Biggs
10. Olly Barkley
9. Michael Claassens

1. Nathan Catt
2. Lee Mears
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Stuart Hooper (c)
5. Dominic Day
6. Carl Fearns
7. Francois Louw
8. Simon Taylor

Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Paul James
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Dave Attwood
20. Ben Skirving
21. Mark McMillan
22. Stephen Donald
23. Jack Cuthbert