Irish expect season high crowd

Ticket sales already exceed 14,000 and the club expects an attendance in excess of 15,000 if the weather is clement.

"Tomorrow afternoon we face inform Ulster, current Celtic League champions and conquerors of mighty Toulouse in the opening round of matches in our pool," said Brian Smith, London Irish Director of Rugby. "We owe the Province one for that victory as we had to face the backlash the following weekend in Stade Ernest Wallon.

"The Ulster team is laced with more current Ireland internationals than ever so we are going into the game as underdogs. The current high profile of Mark McCall's squad means that our players know what's in store, to say that they expect the game to be competitive is an understatement," added Smith.

London Irish makes five changes, two in the backs and three among the forwards, to the starting line-up of the team that played Cardiff Blues last Friday. In the backs Mike Catt returns at inside centre and as captain while Paul Hodgson comes in at scrum half. There are two changes in the front row, Neal Hatley starts at loose head prop with Robbie Russell at hooker. Kieran Roche comes into the back row at blindside flanker.