London Irish looking to build on CV
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:17
As London Irish embarks on its 110th year of existence and 13th consecutive season of top flight professional rugby, it faces the challenge of building on the momentum established over recent seasons.
Over the last three years the club has reached a semifinal of the Heineken Cup, a semifinal of the Guinness Premiership, a European Challenge Cup final and achieved back-to-back qualification for the Heineken Cup. The club missed out narrowly on a third successive campaign in Europe's top flight tournament by finishing in seventh place in last season's Premiership.
"We want to build on the momentum we've established over recent seasons," said Toby Booth, London Irish head coach when he confirmed the club's squad for the new season on Tuesday.
"Everyone involved with the game recognises that standards are improving season upon season and if you want to compete then you have to develop your playing resources and work hard.
"We've already recruited three players - James Buckland, Chris Hala'Ufia and Elvis Sevealii, and all are experienced, quality players that add strength to our existing squad. We will add more quality players as and when we identify the right candidates.
"The players are determined to continue the attractive style of play with which we've become associated and we're optimistic that the new Experimental Law Variations [ELVs] will help us in that regard.
"It will be very important for us to get off to a good start in the Premiership and all our hard work over the summer has been designed to that end," he added.
The club was pleased to contribute six players to the England elite squads last month, and was delighted to see two of its players - Topsy Ojo and David Paice - making their international debuts in New Zealand.
Club captain Bob Casey led the Ireland A team in the Churchill Cup tournament in June and has been restored to the Ireland squad, a long overdue recognition for his outstanding achievements in the Guinness Premiership over the past six years. The club's 30-man professional squad now has 16 full internationals.
The club's successful Academy continues to bring through outstanding young players. Eight players represented England in the Under-18 and Under-20 tours in recent months. Among the latter were Alex Corbisiero (prop) and Jon Fisher (flank) who are expected to break through into the senior squad during the season.
The squad has had a busy pre-season. The core group returned for training in mid-June and were joined by those that had been on international duty in mid-July. The whole squad spent eight days in camp in Livorno in Italy at the end of July.
Pre-season fixtures have already been played against Nottingham and Harlequins and on Friday the squad flies to Cork for its final warm-up match with Munster, the Heineken Cup champions, at Musgrave Park that evening.
The team management reflects the changes announced in July and new appointments in the strength and conditioning and medical departments. Bob Casey continues as Club Captain for the second season.
