By BrianC
October 2 2003

Our second home game of the season sees us hosting Leeds Tykes at the Madejski Stadium. Leeds were the surprise package of last season.

London Irish vs Leeds Tykes

Sunday 5^th October, Madejksi Stadium, K.O. 3pm

In the 2001/2 season, their first in the ZP after promotion from ND1, they came bottom of the league. They were spared relegation as it was deemed that Rotherhams ground was unsuitable for the premiership.

Initially tipped by almost everyone as favourites for relegation again last season they ended up fifth, securing a place in this years Heineken cup in the same group as Toulouse (Lucky barstewards) along the way. They managed a double over us, a 41 - 16 thrashing at Leeds last September was followed by a 14 - 26 loss at the Madejski in April. The second of those games was notable for the difference Tofty made when he came onto the pitch in the second half. Indeed it was after that performance that he became our first choice no 10.

Leeds have had a poor start to this season. The surprise of the first weekends games was their 32 - 44 defeat by Bath at Headingley, the following week they went down 33 - 10 to Wasps at the Causeway Stadium (Adams Park for those who went there last year). Their only victory thus far this season was last weekend when they ran out unconvincing 23 - 13 winners at home to Rotherham. On the plus side they have scored eight tries in their first three games, in the likes of Rees and Scarbrough they have people who can punch gaps in opposition defences.

So why have Leeds had such a poor start? Certainly International call ups are an issue, they have six players on RWC duty. A number of others are injured. In their first game the certainly appeared to miss Bram (The boot) Van Straaten who signed for Sale over the summer, they missed 5 out of 8 penalty attempts. Against Wasps they went in at half time only 9 - 7 down, in the second half Wasps cut loose, the Tykes defence appeared to be porous.

This is a team that needs to be treated with respect but who we can beat. I'm going for Irish by 10.