Match Preview: London Irish seek crucial win against Stormers

The Gallagher Premiership side went down 32-27 at home to Montpellier Hérault Rugby on the opening night before losing 34-14 to DHL Stormers in Cape Town, leaving them second-bottom of Pool B.

DHL Stormers, meanwhile, are fifth, with their Round 2 win over Irish the perfect response to a 24-14 defeat at ASM Clermont Auvergne in their first ever Heineken Champions Cup game.

Coming into their Round 3 encounter, Irish have won two on the bounce in the Premiership while DHL Stormers have won two out of their last three matches in the United Rugby Championship.

The match kicks off at 13:00 (UK & Irish time) at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, and can be watched on BT Sport, SuperSport, beIN SPORTS and FloRugby.

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Key quote:

DHL Stormers’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: “London Irish are a quality outfit and playing any side away from home always presents a different challenge. It’s a challenge that we are more than capable of taking by the neck and I expect nothing less from the boys that run out on the weekend.

London Irish

Ben Loader made a round-high 146 metres in Round 2, beating the most defenders (nine).

Four of Paddy Jackson’s six restarts were retained in the last round – a round high. His total of five is the highest of the competition so far.

Irish have made a tournament-high 32 dominant tackle contacts.

DHL Stormers

Hacjivah Dayimani made 119 metres in the last round – more than any other forward. He also made four clean break and three offloads.

The Stormers have made only nine dominant carry contacts; their 6 per cent carry dominance is the lowest in the competition.