Geraghty aiming to repeat last performance on big stage of Twickenham in Irish trophy bid
London Irish put their European dream in the hands of Shane Geraghty at Twickenham this afternoon, trusting that their 21-year-old fly half will repeat his last performance on the big stage.
A semi-final against Toulouse, which casts the middle-of-the-road Premiership club in the role of rank outsiders, presents Geraghty with the chance to do to France's most powerful club what he did to their national team during last year's Six Nations when he appeared as a late fly half substitute for an injured Toby Flood and gave England a real touch of adventure.
Geraghty: opportunity
Given his chance because of the chronic calf injury which has sidelined Mike Catt, Geraghty has the perfect opportunity to show England manager Martin Johnson that England's crop of young fly halves is not confined to Danny Cipriani.
Director of rugby Brian Smith said: "Our supporters have been fabulous. Now we want them to get behind the boys one more time and help the team make another historic step in this amazing competition."
LONDON IRISH: P Hewat; T Ojo, P Richards, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau; S Geraghty, P Hodgson; D Murphy, D Paice, F Rautenbach, N Kennedy, B Casey (capt), D Danaher, S Armitage, P Murphy. Substitutes: T Lea'aetoa, S Mackie, J Hudson, R Thorpe, J Leguizamon, N Mordt, E Hickey.
TOULOUSE: C Heymans; M Medard, M Ahotaeiloa, Y Jauzion, Y Donguy; J-B Elissalde, B Kelleher; D Human, W Servat, S Perugini, F Pelous (capt), P Albacete, J Bouilhou, Y Nyanga, S Sowerby. Substitutes: A Vernat Basualdo, O Hasan, R Millo- Chluski, G Lamboley, M Mermoz or V Courrent, M Mermoz or T Dusautoir, F Maka.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
TV: Sky Sports 2 2.30pm (kick- off 3.0).
