Burrell burning with desire to avenge Irish hammering

It was against the Exiles back in September that the Huddersfield-born centre made his only other starting appearance – a day which produced Leeds's heaviest defeat of the season.

Burrell, 22, out of the first XV since the 56-7 thrashing, gets his chance after Scott Barrow injured his shoulder against Harlequins last week.

"It is a bit of a strange twist that I have come into the side after my last start against Irish but I'm really excited to be back," he said.

"The team has come on a long way since that game at the start of the season and there will be a lot of people wanting to give a better account of themselves on Sunday.

"Irish were on fire that day and tore us apart so we know the quality they have and we will have to be stronger defensively than last time. Hopefully my enthusiasm can rub off on the team and we will go there in good spirits."

After winning three consecutive games to transform their chances of escaping the drop, Leeds have lost their last three fixtures, including a 46-11 reverse at Harlequins following a worrying second-half capitulation.

They lie just three points above bottom-placed Worcester with three games remaining but coach Neil Back said: "At half-time last week we were very much in the game. Our discipline cost us in the second period and it was the most disappointing aspect.

"But that 40 minutes has to be put into context with our previous eight games when we have competed for the full 80 minutes with all our opponents."

The Yorkshire side – who will not have winger Scott Armstrong in their line-up next season after it was revealed on Thursday night that he would be following fly-half Joe Ford out of Headingley to Northampton Saints – head to the Madejski Stadium for a crucial contest against Irish who are in fourth and well-positioned for a tilt at the Guinness Premiership title.

Burrell, who has been performing well in Leeds's A side and has spent time on loan at Championship club Rotherham this season, admits he was surprised by his call-up.

"I had been invited to go in a hospitality box for Huddersfield Town's game against Millwall but I had to turn that down to concentrate on the match," he said.

"I don't mind that at all and am looking forward to playing alongside Seru Rabeni in the centres."

Ex-British Lions hooker Andy Titterrell also returns to the starting line-up while Phil Nilsen is named as a replacement.

Full-back Jon Goodridge is set to make his first appearance since facing Saracens in January, replacing injured Leigh Hinton, while Tom Denton and Henry Paul are replacements, Kearnan Myall and Richard Welding making way.