Peter Hewat, London Irish's new signing from NSW Waratahs, comes straight into the starting XV for the Exiles' important Guinness Premiership home match with Gloucester on Sunday at the Madejski Stadium.

Hewat, who led his Central Coast Rays team to victory last Saturday in the inaugural Australian Rugby Championship, scoring 15 out of the team's 20 points, only arrived in England on Tuesday.

He will start at full back in a team that shows five changes, three personnel and two positional, to the starting line-up that took the field against Wasps last weekend.

In the backs Delon Armitage moves to outside centre where he takes over from the injured Dominic Shabbo. Shane Geraghty returns at out half having recovered fully from the leg injury that has kept him out of action for the past three weeks.

The changes in the pack are in the back row where Kieran Roche comes in at blindside flanker with Declan Danaher switching to openside and Steffon Armitage dropping to the bench. Phil Murphy starts at No 8 in place of Richard Thorpe who is named among the replacements.

"This weekend's match is a terrific challenge for us," said Brian Smith, London Irish Director of Rugby. "We struggled last week against Wasps but on Sunday afternoon we have the opportunity to turn things around against the best in the League.

"Dean Ryan and his staff are creating a new force in English rugby, they have a fantastic squad and they're in form. Whilst we have similar records on defence, Gloucester's attack is the best in the league. If we can match them with ball in hand our supporters will be in for a great afternoon's rugby."

Smith continued: "Our congratulations go to Mike Catt and Peter Richards on their World Cup efforts. Brian Ashton's England have shown the sporting world how things can change dramatically with perseverance and character. Juan Leguizamon and Gonzalo Tiesi have also done well for the Pumas.

"They are disappointed with the semi-final performance against South Africa but they have done themselves proud. Both boys have plenty more World Cup rugby ahead of them as they are still very young. All our World Cup heroes will be back in action for London Irish shortly."

SportingLife / Eurosport