Davids, Pokomela back in Stormers side to face London Irish

Davids, Pokomela back in Stormers side to face London Irish

The return of Angelo Davids and Junior Pokomela are among four changes to the Stormers team for Sunday's Champions Cup clash with London Irish in Brentford.

There are two changes to the forward pack and two in the backline, along with a few positional switches, for the return clash with the English Premiership outfit, which kicks off at 15h00 SA time on Sunday at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Lock Connor Evans makes his first start for the Stormers, while in the loose trio, Pokomela returns at blindside flank.

In the backline, flyer Davids comes in for the injured Leolin Zas and a fit-again Ruhan Nel joins Dan du Plessis in midfield, with Damian Willemse shifting to fullback.

Hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, prop Ali Vermaak, scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will all get an opportunity from a replacements bench which also includes utility forward Simon Miller, who will make his DHL Stormers debut when he comes on.

Head Coach John Dobson said that his team will need to be at their best to get what would be a valuable away win.

"There are not many team winning away from home in this competition, so we know that it will take our best on Sunday.

"There has been some hard work put in on the training ground this week, so hopefully we will see that pay off come Sunday," he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.