Final Premiership Rugby Cup: London Irish against Worcester Warriors

Duhan van der Merwe of Worcester Warriors carries
Duhan van de Merwe scored as Worcester defeated Gloucester to reach the Premiership Rugby Cup Final
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium Date:Tuesday, 17 Mai Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester; score updates on the BBC Sport website

Duhan van der Merwe, the semi-final-hero, is back from injury and will start for Worcester in their Premiership Rugby Cup Final against London Irish.

The Scotland winger was one of five new additions to the Warriors team that was defeated by Saracens 30 April.

London Irish also makes five changes to Toulon's Challenge Cup quarter-finals team.

After running the length the pitch, Harry Arundell, full-back, starts. He scored a memorable try while in France.

The match will take place at Brentford Community Stadium, the Exiles' home.

Worcester came from behind to beat GloucesterIn the semi-finals Irish eased past Premiership leaders LeicesterTo reach the final

Van der Merwe is joined in the Warriors’ backline by Jamie Shillcock, centre Ashley Beck, and Ethan Waller at prop.

Ted Hill will take over as number eight and Matt Kvesic will take over as flanker.

Lucio Cinti takes over the wing for Exiles. Will Joseph is the central figure.

Mike Willemse begins at hooker, and Chunya Maunga is in row 2.

This fixture has been won by the home team twice this season. Worcester won 36-24 at Sixways in the first Premiership match, while the Exiles won the full-fledged 43-12 at Sixways in the final.

Declan Kidney, director of rugby for London Irish, told the club's website:

“Cup finals in professional rugby are an exceptional occasion and players, staff, and supporters have every right to be excited about Tuesday night's final.

“This season has been great for us and we look forward to tomorrow night.

“Worcester is coming to West London with a full-strength team, so we know that we will have the opportunity to win.”

Worcester Warriors coach Jonny Goodridge:

“It's our seventh final and first domestic final as a top flight club. This is a very exciting occasion for all of us, the players, playing staff and supporters.

“There are five coaches-loads of supporters coming down and two more for staff. I'm sure that many supporters will also make their way there.

“So, we should be well supported – as we were for Gloucester's semi-final – and it's going a fantastic event.”

Line-ups

London Irish Arundell; Cinti, Joseph, Van Rensburg, Hassell-Collins; Jackson, White; Gigena, Willemse, M van der Merwe; Munga, Simmons, Rogerson (capt.), Gonzalez; Tuisue

Replacements: Cornish, Goodrick–Clarke Parker, Mafi. Donnell, Englefield Rona. Loader

Worcester Warriors:Shillcock; Humphreys Venter, Beck; D van der Merwe Smith; Waller. Annett. Judge. Batley. G Kitchener. Hatherell. Kvesic. Hill (capt.).

Replacements: Miller, Sutherland McCallum A Kitchener Lewis Chudley Lawrence Hearle

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Leave a Comment