Wasps clash sets London Irish buzzing

London Irish officials are urging fans to turn up early at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, with the club's derby against London Wasps threatening to attract a record Zurich Premiership attendance.

More than 16,000 tickets have already been sold for the clash of the high-fliers, but the ground's 24,000 capacity means that English rugby's domestic record of 20,793 - set at the Bristol v Bath match at Ashton Gate last May - could be broken.

Irish look sure to beat their own record of 18,563 and club spokesman Patrick Lennon said: "All the bars will be open from 12 noon, so there's really no excuse for not being early for what promises to be a great match."

Gates have risen noticeably since England's World Cup win, and this meeting between second and third in the table has caught the imagination of those keen to get out of the house following Christmas.

Chris Sheasby, the Irish No8, returns for the first time since sustaining a nasty eye injury at Sale on 31 October, and only the six-week lay-off enforced on Kieron Dawson (knee ligaments) prevents the Exiles from being at full-strength.

Wasps, too, have just centre Stuart Abbott sidelined and are bang in form after Sunday's 41-0 thrashing of Saracens.

Struggling Sarries must play leaders Bath at Vicarage Road without Richard Hill, who suffered damage to his face while captaining England to victory over the New Zealand Barbarians.

Jason Leonard starts his first game for Harlequins since the World Cup, at Gloucester on Saturday, while Pat Sanderson and Ace Tiatia also return.