8th August 2005
Issued on behalf of London Irish

London Irish has announced a strong and talented squad for the Compass Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham on Saturday next, 13th August.  The Exiles play Newcastle Falcons in the first round of the tournament at 1.20pm.

Every member of the ten-man squad has played representative rugby for his country.  Juan Manuel Leguizamon with three caps for Argentina is the most experienced full international, he will also be making his debut for the Exiles, having signed earlier in the summer. Team captain Paul Hodgson and Delon Armitage have played for England 7's in the IRB World Sevens series. Ben Willis has played for New Zealand Barbarians and Ireland A. Declan Danaher has played for England A and the Barbarians while Ross Laidlaw, Topsy Ojo, Dominic Shabbo, Richard Thorpe and Tom Warren have all represented England in various age group levels.

Looking forward to Saturday Paul Hodgson, captain for the tournament, said: "Our squad has been in training now for ten weeks so all of the players want to get on a pitch and play some rugby.  The Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham provides a great stage for our new signings and emerging players to show what they are capable of.  We have a strong and talented squad that wants to win this valuable tournament."

Squad:
1. Dominic Shabbo;  2. Topsy Ojo;  3. Juan Manuel Leguizamon*;  4. Ross Laidlaw;  5. Paul Hodgson (captain);  6. Richard Thorpe;  7. Declan Danaher;  8. Tom Warren;  9. Ben Willis;  10. Delon Armitage. *Denotes International

London Irish, together with the other 11 Guinness Premiership clubs, are taking part in the annual Compass Group Middlesex 7s with Bedford Blues, Blackheath, NEC Harlequins and last year's winners, the British Army, in what promises to be a day of free-flowing rugby.

Charities benefiting from the tournament include the Wooden Spoon Society which helps socially, physically and mentally disadvantaged children, and the Professional Rugby Players' Association Benevolent Fund, giving support to rugby players who have finished playing through serious injury or illness.

Tickets for the whole day can be bought via Ticketmaster on 0871 871 0777 or via the Middlesex Sevens website, www.middlesex7s.com, at £25 for adults and £10 for Under-16s. The first game kicks off at 11.20am.