Spotlight On - London Irish

Things are certainly looking up for London Irish; they have new owners, a suite of new signings to boost their squad and a brand new multi-million pound home, Hazelwood. Excitement and energy at the club is at an all time high, from the players to the backroom team everyone feels that now that these fundamental foundations are in place it is time for the club to press on and work their way back up the Aviva Premiership table.

The Exiles’ 2013/14 season was inconsistent; they recorded away wins over Harlequins and Saracens and yet they failed to deliver on a weekly basis and ended up on the wrong side of many close results. In spite of this a number of their lesser known signings shone and showcased their talents to the rest of the Aviva Premiership. Eamonn Sheridan and Fergus Mulchrone developed a prolific centre partnership whilst Blair Cowen showed exactly how it should be done in the back row. Blair’s breakdown prowess and work-rate was up there with the very best and the manner in which he attacks the game bears more than a striking resemblance to a certain Jacques Burger. Out wide, winger Andrew Fenby led the way in terms of try scoring as he touched down 13 times in 23 appearances and young Alex Lewington showed huge promise during his time on the field. With a season of Aviva Premiership rugby firmly under their belts all of these players should press on and showcase even more in the 2014/15 season. 

There are two Irish players that are returning to the field this year after long term injuries and both will make a huge difference for Brian Smith’s side; Tom Homer and Halani Aulika. Halani's prowess and experience at scrum time was sorely missed last year, the Tongan is fearless and can only be described as a bulldozer and I mean that in the very best way. Halani also scores tries for fun, in his last full season (2013/14) he scored 11 in total and was the Club’s top try scorer... not too shabby for a prop!!! Tom Homer made only six appearances last season and looked slightly cautious during them however after a strong, injury free, pre-season he is ready to take the Aviva Premiership by storm. Tom is a naturally talented footballer, he is secure under the high ball, has a huge boot and spots gaps that the rest of us can’t see. His high percentage place kicking will be critical to keep Irish's scoreboard ticking over and could prove the difference when it comes to their tight clashes. 

Signings wise the Exiles have gained a blend of youth and experience, Daniel Leo and Luke Narraway both come from Perpignan and Leo looks like he is going to be more than a handful in the centre. Scott Steele is a young scrum half from Leicester who will push Tomas O’Leary all the way and Tom Guest and James Short arrive from Harlequins and Wasps/Saracens respectively. Tom's talent is known to us all already from his time at Harlequins and for me he is the signing of the season for Irish whilst James Short is a close second. James is a prolific finisher and with a two year contract under his belt he can settle at Hazelwood and progress forwards.

Expectations outside the club aren’t high for Irish however that doesn’t faze forwards coach Glenn Delaney; 'we've got to earn the right to have higher expectations and that needs to translate into our league campaign'.  Earning that right starts on Saturday 6th September at Twickenham against their fiercest rivals Harlequins. On paper the Exiles are the underdogs however it is a rivalry that brings out the best in them and the fact that the two sides have traded a couple of key men over the summer, Guest & Yarde, means that this year’s first round derby has an added bit of spice!

As a collective The Exiles have a point to prove to the Aviva Premiership because their ambitions are much higher than their recent campaigns have delivered. A reliance on the luck of the Irish will not be enough; instead consistency will be king for Brian Smith’s men as they aim to shock this year.