Transition, it is a word that none of our Aviva Premiership teams like to be associated with however once again I must place London Irish’s season in that category as they struggled to find true consistency of form and deliver back to back results.
The year started promisingly as they moved into their plush new home at Hazelwood and looked ahead to the ensuing Premiership road with promise and excitement. However only two wins out of their first six rounds, albeit it one memorable one at Welford Road, dampened the excitement slightly and set the up-and-down tone for the year. When Irish put their game on the park they can deliver some cracking rugby, Alex Lewington out wide is stick of Premiership dynamite. The young 23 year old’s finishing is as prolific as his pace, he has taken the jersey and made it his own and it is a testament to his skill and ability that he has made so many of the XV's of the Season. When Chris Noakes hit his straps against Bath it caused Andy Goode to be a little concerned regarding the starting jersey for next season and Andrew Fenby can be a driving force from full back. The words can and if are there because we haven’t seen every Irish player deliver every week, if we had then they would have finished much higher than tenth position.
Irish are going back to their roots and employing the right people behind the scenes, Nick Kennedy is working tirelessly with their academy to recruit and importantly retain their new crop of talent. The young players coming through Irish's system have incredible men to learn from with Declan Danaher, Paul Hodgson and of course Kennedy himself. This season Richard Palframan has emerged into the front row and grasped the starting jersey with both hands and next others will do so too. At the top the big man, Bob Casey, is starting to make an impact as Operations Director, he has pulled the purse strings and signed a spot of playing and coaching firepower.
Tom Coventry and his team will arrive in July ready to mix things up, the men that made strides in the latter part of the season Delaney and Whiffin will continue to be involved and they all have new and exciting players to get their hands on. Irish’s platform is there it just needs to now be boosted by their signings. Goode will provide an experienced and very, very consistent ten, something Irish have lacked for a while and it will leave Shane Geraghty to work out in the centres where he enjoys himself most. Sean Maitland and Alex Lewington are quite the wing men and the ever present, ever powerful Blair Cowen will continue to graft at the breakdown and drive the work rate of the side.
Looking back they’ll be disappointment in the Exiles’ ranks, yes their European campaign delivered a Challenge Cup Semi Final place but their Premiership one left us wanting more. The talent is there and it will be up to Tom Coventry to arrive on the scene and whip his side into shape.
Key Men - Alex Lexington, Blair Cowen and off the field Bob Casey
Most Impressive Result - The St Patrick's Day victory over Newcastle Falcons took some heart!
Strongest Signings for 15/16 Season - Andy Goode for his consistency & Ben Franks for his All Black experience.
Most Impressive Result - The St Patrick's Day victory over Newcastle Falcons took some heart!
Strongest Signings for 15/16 Season - Andy Goode for his consistency & Ben Franks for his All Black experience.
Overall Assessment - Building blocks are in place and a highly productive pre-season will be vital to move up the table next season.
