Date: Wed 31 Oct 2012

Marland Yarde has recovered from injury and returns to the London Irish starting line-up for Friday evening’s Aviva Premiership match against Sale Sharks at Salford City Stadium (kick-off 8pm).

Sailosi Tagicakibau moves into the centre in place of Jonathan Joseph and Scott Lawson starts at hooker. Darren Allinson starts his first match of the season at scrum half and will form a combination with Ian Humphreys. George Skivington is named as a replacement after recovering from injury.

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith said: “Friday evening will be a big test of how far we have come this season. We played some great rugby last weekend and were disappointed not to see it through. We need to make amends tomorrow night. We face a difficult challenge, Sale are a good side with some great players so it will be a tough ask, but one we are looking forward to.”

London Irish team to face Sale Sharks:

15. Anthony Watson; 14. Topsy Ojo*; 13. Guy Armitage; 12. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Darren Allinson; 1. Max Lahiff; 2. Scott Lawson*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. Bryn Evans*; 5. Matt Garvey; 6. Declan Danaher (Captain); 7. Jamie Gibson; 8. Chris Hala’ufia*

Replacements: 16. Brian Blaney; 17. Cai Griffiths; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19. George Skivington; 20. Ofisa Treviranus*; 21. Steven Shingler; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Jack Moates

*Denotes Internationals