There is not long until kick off in the 2023 Premiership Rugby Cup Final, with London Irish hosting Exeter Chiefs at the G-tech Community Stadium. Kick-off is slightly earlier than normal, with the sides setting off at 2pm. London Irish will be hoping to mark their St Patrick’s Weekend party with a trophy, yet Exeter Chiefs are set to spoil the celebrations in Brentford.
London Irish have unfinished business after last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup Final, which saw them lose in the most bizarre circumstances last time around. Worcester Warriors found their saving grace in Kyle Hatherell’s 80th minute equaliser, which took the final to extra time.
After a half-hour stalemate, the final score read 25-25. There was confusion heading into the final moments of the match, with discussions of ‘golden point’ breaking out around the crowd. However, the final whistle came, and the trophy was awarded to Worcester, on the basis of tries scored.
Irish are looking to win their first piece of silverware in over a decade, and London Irish Director of Rugby Declan Kidney spoke ahead of the match to the Exiles’ official club website.
“Anytime you find yourself in a cup final is a special occasion and this Sunday is no different. “It’s been a whole squad effort to get to this point, but we know that we face stiff opposition in Exeter Chiefs and will have to put in a full 80-minute performance. Our supporters have been fantastic for us this season and we will aim to put in a performance that they can be proud of.”
And Kidney was quoted in the match day programme;
“Today’s visitors are well-versed in winning competitions over recent years and come into the contest with valuable experience under the belts. Like ourselves, Exeter Chiefs are undefeated so far in the Premiership Rugby Cup and they will want to take the trophy with them back to Devon. It will be up to us to stop that from happening.”
London Irish Line Up:
Exeter Chiefs are looking to add to their cabinet, and lift their first trophy since they were won the Premiership and Champions Cup double in 2020. Chiefs skills coach Ricky Pellow is excited in seeing his side in the final, but recognises the threat London Irish bring. Speaking on the Exeter Chiefs official club website, Pellow said;
“We’ve been building nicely throughout the week. We’ve trained well, the boys are looking good and emotionally we’ve been on point throughout the competition. I think there is a good balance to the squad, everyone is excited about the weekend, but we know London Irish are going to be tough and that we’re going to have to work hard to rip the game away from them.”
“It’s a big day for everyone, myself included. For all of us, it’s an opportunity for us to go out and put our stamp on things. Ask every coach, every player, you want to be involved in the big games. This one obviously has the reward of a trophy at the end of it, but what has pleased me the most is the way this group have come together from the outset and just grown as a team.”
Exeter Chiefs Team Line Up: