LONDON IRISH SENSED a scoring chance after securing turnover ball against Worcester Warriors at the weekend.
Captain Tomás O’Leary raced to an Exiles ruck and found Ian Humphreys in support. Humphreys passed to Eamonn Sheridan, who offloaded to Topsy Ojo and Marlon Yarde finished off the sweeping team move. The England internationals finished off a move made in Ireland.
The boos rang out at Sixways — Yarde had earlier scuffled with warriors outhalf Ignacio Mieres — but the home side were soon cheering as their team re-took the lead. Irish were not finished, however, and Humphreys kicked a late penalty to deliver a 20 — 18 win.
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“Brian Smith is trying to build up the Irish identity of the squad again,” Humphreys told TheScore.ie. “Last year, when he signed myself and Tomás, he told me that getting Irish qualified players in was on of his key goals.”
Sheridan and Fergus Mulchrone were signed from Sale Sharks and Rotherhan Titans respectively. Prop Jamie Hagan has arrived from Leinster and is hoping to be fit to make his league debut soon after picking up a preseason injury against Munster.
O’Leary, the former Munster scrumhalf, has returned from a back injury to captain the Exiles in their first two league games. Humphreys commented, “Tomás is world class and we missed him towards the end of last season. He’s a similar player to myself as he likes to attack. He has been there and done that and is a fine example to have as a captain.”
London Irish’s Tomas O’Leary and Eamonn Sheridan tackle John Ryan of Munster. INPHO/James Crombie
Birmingham-born Sheridan played three times for Leinster, in 2010/11. before finding a home at Sale Sharks. Humphreys has been impressed with the centre’s performances in the league and during pre-season and feels he has every hope of holding down a permanent place in the London Irish midfield.
As for Humphreys himself, his matchwinner was the latest in a long line of vital interventions since his return to the Premiership. “I got to put the ball between the posts,” he said, “but the real credit has to go to our forwards for taking the ball all the way from our 22, winning two penalties, and getting up to the Worcester 22. That win was crucial as we struggled away from home last season.”
This weekend, the Exiles take on an Exeter Chiefs team that contains Tommy Hayes, Ian Whitten and Gareth Steenson on its books. The Chiefs also signed Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo from Connacht during the summer.
Humphreys is not the first player to express his preference for ‘week-in, week-out’ rugby, as opposed to the stringently managed Irish model. Having finished ninth last season, the former Ulster outhalf says the focus is on the Exiles pressing for a top six finish and European Cup rugby [in whatever format it takes].
'World class' Tomás O'Leary revelling in London Irish captaincy role
LONDON IRISH SENSED a scoring chance after securing turnover ball against Worcester Warriors at the weekend.
Captain Tomás O’Leary raced to an Exiles ruck and found Ian Humphreys in support. Humphreys passed to Eamonn Sheridan, who offloaded to Topsy Ojo and Marlon Yarde finished off the sweeping team move. The England internationals finished off a move made in Ireland.
The boos rang out at Sixways — Yarde had earlier scuffled with warriors outhalf Ignacio Mieres — but the home side were soon cheering as their team re-took the lead. Irish were not finished, however, and Humphreys kicked a late penalty to deliver a 20 — 18 win.
“Brian Smith is trying to build up the Irish identity of the squad again,” Humphreys told TheScore.ie. “Last year, when he signed myself and Tomás, he told me that getting Irish qualified players in was on of his key goals.”
Sheridan and Fergus Mulchrone were signed from Sale Sharks and Rotherhan Titans respectively. Prop Jamie Hagan has arrived from Leinster and is hoping to be fit to make his league debut soon after picking up a preseason injury against Munster.
O’Leary, the former Munster scrumhalf, has returned from a back injury to captain the Exiles in their first two league games. Humphreys commented, “Tomás is world class and we missed him towards the end of last season. He’s a similar player to myself as he likes to attack. He has been there and done that and is a fine example to have as a captain.”
London Irish’s Tomas O’Leary and Eamonn Sheridan tackle John Ryan of Munster. INPHO/James Crombie
Birmingham-born Sheridan played three times for Leinster, in 2010/11. before finding a home at Sale Sharks. Humphreys has been impressed with the centre’s performances in the league and during pre-season and feels he has every hope of holding down a permanent place in the London Irish midfield.
As for Humphreys himself, his matchwinner was the latest in a long line of vital interventions since his return to the Premiership. “I got to put the ball between the posts,” he said, “but the real credit has to go to our forwards for taking the ball all the way from our 22, winning two penalties, and getting up to the Worcester 22. That win was crucial as we struggled away from home last season.”
This weekend, the Exiles take on an Exeter Chiefs team that contains Tommy Hayes, Ian Whitten and Gareth Steenson on its books. The Chiefs also signed Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo from Connacht during the summer.
Humphreys is not the first player to express his preference for ‘week-in, week-out’ rugby, as opposed to the stringently managed Irish model. Having finished ninth last season, the former Ulster outhalf says the focus is on the Exiles pressing for a top six finish and European Cup rugby [in whatever format it takes].
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Aviva Premiership eamonn sheridan Exiles Ian Humphreys Jamie Hagan Rugby Exeter Chiefs London Irish Tomas O'Leary