London Irish v Toulouse: MIKE CATT has lost his fitness battle for London Irish's Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse at Twickenham.
The England World Cup winner is suffering from a recurring nerve-related problem that affects his hamstring and calf.
Catt, who played a key role when Irish beat quarter-final opponents Perpignan, missed last weekend's Guinness Premiership victory over Harlequins.
London Irish coach Brian Smith has opted for the same midfield trio that started against Quins, with Shane Geraghty at outhalf and England scrumhalf Peter Richards being joined by centre partner Seilala Mapusua.
Catt and prop Clarke Dermody (leg) both failed fitness tests ahead of Irish's first European Cup semi-final appearance. Two changes from the Harlequins clash are both up front, where lock Nick Kennedy and number eight Phil Murphy return to starting duty.
Smith said: "The squad has worked hard through this season's pool stage, and played with great control and intelligence in beating Perpignan in the quarter-final.
"Tomorrow requires another step-up in performance."
Meanwhile, Toulouse coach Guy Noves admits his patched-up team have a mountain to climb given the lengthy absentee list they have to contend with. Winger Vincent Clerc (knee) joined fellow France backs Florian Fritz and Clement Poitrenaud in the treatment room last weekend while Les Bleus flanker Thierry Dusautoir, whose father died earlier this week, will be on the bench.
Toulouse go into the game on the back of a comprehensive defeat to Clermont-Auvergne in a Top 14 summit meeting last weekend. Noves is also worried about the strength of a London Irish team who have exceeded all expectations by making it this far in Europe's premier club competition for the first time.
"They have a very dynamic side that possesses quick and strong players," said Noves, who is still recovering from a road accident he was involved in at the start of the month.
"They have a very reliable set-piece, with a very good lineout and - contrary to what people say - a very good scrum. I fear their capacity to raise their game, to be roused by playing at Twickenham and our inability to beat them. But I hope they fear Toulouse as well."
Even with their problems Toulouse's starting XV still looks daunting on paper.
They still have an electric back three of Cedric Heymans, Yves Donguy and Maxime Medard, while the imperious Yannick Jauzion and the dynamic Maleli Kunavore line up at centre.
Former France captain Fabien Pelous takes the captain's armband and is partnered at lock by Argentina's Patricio Albacete, who was recently named the Top 14 player of the month for March.
LONDON IRISH: P Hewat; T Ojo, P Richards, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau; S Geraghty, P Hodgson; D Murphy, D Paice, F Rautenbach; N Kennedy, B Casey (capt); D Danaher, S Armitage, P Murphy. Replacements: T Lea'aetoa, S Mackie, J Hudson, R Thorpe, J Leguizamon, N Mordt, E Hickey.
TOULOUSE: C Heymans; M Medard, M Ahotaeiloa, Y Jauzion, Y Donguy; J-B Elissalde, B Kelleher; D Human, W Servat, S Perugini; F Pelous (capt), P Albacete; J Bouilhou, Y Nyanga, S Sowerby. Replacements: A Vernat Basualdo, O Hasan, R Millo-Chluski, G Lamboley, M Mermoz or V Courrent, M Mermoz or T Dusautoir, F Maka.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
Touch judges: George Clancy and Peter Fitzgibbon (both Ireland).
