Exiles prepared for 'monumental' task

England scrum-half Paul Hodgson believes London Irish face “a truly monumental task” to keep alive their Heineken Cup dream at Twickenham tomorrow.

While twice European champions Leicester scrap for a quarter-final place against the Ospreys in Swansea, Irish must beat Heineken Cup holders Leinster.

Defeat to the Scarlets last weekend – Irish blew a 22-10 lead and lost by nine points – has left the Exiles facing a do-or-die mission.

Even if they win, then Hodgson and company are likely to be dependent on other results as they chase a second Heineken semi-final appearance in three seasons.

“It’s a massive challenge for us,” said the Irish number nine. “Leinster are flying at the moment and they are a formidable side.

“They will be coming for the win and we are in no doubt as to how tough it will be. It will be one of the toughest games this team has faced – a truly monumental task.”

Leinster need one point to finish top of Pool Six, that relatively comfortable position being afforded them by Irish’s Scarlets shocker.

Hodgson added: “It is probably one of the most gutting feelings we’ve had as a team for a long time.

“It was a game we should have been in control of, but we let it slip away.

“There were some home truths spoken in the changing room, so hopefully we can have a reaction, not just this week but for the rest of our season in general.”

Irish beat Leinster 12-9 in Dublin three months ago, but a European double over Brian O’Driscoll and company during the pool stage is rare. It was last achieved by Stade Francais in the 1998/99 season.

“We will just be looking to put in a performance that will give us a chance to win, and then what will be will be after that,” said Hodgson.

“We will embrace the challenge and we are looking forward to it.”

Irish have received a double boost in selection with wings Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau both fit after injury to claim starting places, while one other change from last Sunday sees fly-half Chris Malone in for Ryan Lamb.

“Performing on the big stage that is Twickenham is something our players are used to,” said Irish head coach Toby Booth.

“In the last two years we’ve played there in two London double-headers, a semi-final of the Heineken Cup and a Guinness Premiership Final.

“That cumulative experience matters when it comes to important matches like tomorrow evening’s.”

Leicester, Heineken Cup winners in 2001 and 2003, could finish top of Pool Three tomorrow or miss out on a quarter-final place, so tight is the margin between success and failure.

One point currently separates the Tigers, Ospreys and French Championship leaders Clermont Auvergne, who are expected to claim a bonus-point success against Italian strugglers Viadana.

A five-point maximum would see Leicester march on, while victory without a bonus should still be enough to progress as a best runner-up behind Clermont. Defeat though, and it is all over, provided Clermont triumph.

The Ospreys also have quarter-final ambitions, and their chances are enhanced by fit-again Wales stars Shane Williams and James Hook featuring in a team of 15 internationals.

“We know what we need to do, and that is to get our own house in order after the disappointment last weekend of losing against Clermont,” said Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones.

“We’ve certainly built up a rivalry with Leicester over the last few seasons, and all our games tend to be tight scorelines and incident-packed, so I would imagine it is going to be quite a spectacle.”

Leicester have named five internationals on their bench, including Aaron Mauger, Martin Castrogiovanni and Ben Kay, while Craig Newby replaces injured England flanker Tom Croft.

“It’s a massive game. Both sides know they can go through with a win, or go out in defeat,” said Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill.

“We are under pressure every week to perform. The difference this week is that if you lose you are out.”

Stade Francais, whose prop David Attoub is to appeal his 70-week ban for eye-gouging, need only one point from their Murrayfield clash against Edinburgh tomorrow to win Pool Four.

Their fellow French challengers Biarritz and Toulouse are already through to the last-eight, but for a handful of other teams, Amlin Challenge Cup places are on offer.

Three Heineken teams will make the second-tier competition’s last-eight for the first time this season.

And that is an attainable prize for the likes of Cardiff Blues, who visit Harlequins, and Sale Sharks at home to Toulouse on Sunday, in addition to the Scarlets, Ulster and Gloucester, whose respective final group opponents are Brive, Bath and Newport Gwent Dragons.