Kennedy's Cup KO

Promising second-row prospect Nick Kennedy will miss London Irish’s Heineken Cup trip to Newport on Saturday.

Kennedy, who has made a considerable impact since being promoted from the Exiles’ academy ranks because of Bob Casey’s foot injury, is not eligible for the group stages.

He was not registered before the Heineken Cup September deadline so can only play in Europe this season if Irish secure quarter-final status.

With Casey still out and Kennedy unavailable, Glenn Delaney will partner captain Ryan Strudwick in the second row as one of two changes from last weekend’s 25-20 Zurich Premiership defeat against Gloucester.

Prop Rob Hardwick is selected on rotation instead of Simon Halford, while the Irish side also includes former Newport scrum-half Darren Edwards.