WITH THE SEASON’S half way point in sight, London Irish number 10 Ian Humphreys knows that it’s about time the Exiles made a push away from the foot of the Aviva Premiership table.
In one of the strongest English top flights in a decade, Irish have struggled for form; winning only twice in nine games and failing to take even a losing bonus point away from the Madejski Stadium.
“It’s been okay.” He says, reflecting on his own form. “(Brian) Smithy has given me a lot of responsibility and I’m enjoying my rugby. We play the type of game that I enjoy and we like to attack.”
Humphreys has always been viewed as a running fly-half, able to get a back-line moving at pace. In recent weeks he has also taken up the responsibility of place-kicking.
Against London Welsh tomorrow afternoon, he will hope to cross the 100 point mark for his new club having scored 91 so far. However, he warns that the Welsh exiles, though less celebrated than, will provide a difficult hurdle.
“It’s not an easy place to go and get a win, as Bath found out recently, and they pushed Northampton Saints hard last week.”
On top of the 2011 Heineken Cup finalists, Welsh also forced Saracens to dig deep before taking a win away from the Kassam Stadium. Yet Humphreys is hoping that the approaching end of the international month can help his club bridge the four-point gap that separates his side from tomorrow’s opponents.
“We’ve had Alex Coribisiero, David Paice and Jonathan Joseph in the England squad, Scott Lawson with Scotland, a few of the lads off with Samoa and Tonga and Jebb Sinclair over with Canada.
“We’re not using it as an excuse for last week as every team loses players for the internationals, but it will be good to get Scott and a couple of the Polynesian lads back in the mix this weekend.”
However, Humphreys’ regular half-back partner Tomas O’Leary is again sidelined with a strain which forced him off at half time of the defeat to Harlequins.
“I’m not exactly sure what has kept him out, I think it’s his calf muscle.” Humprhreys told TheScore.ie this week. “Hopefully we’ll get him back for the Amlin Cup games. Dave Allison, to be fair, has come in and done well.”
Elsewhere in the Aviva Premiership this week
Tonight, Conor O’Shea’s all-singing, all-dancing, league-leading Harlequins get the weekend started at home to John Andress’ Worcester Warriors. Currently fourth from bottom, Worcester will be hoping for at least a point to keep ahead of London Welsh.
London Irish kick off at 13.00 tomorrow, just after Bath’s trip to Welford Road (12.30) – where Niall Morris has become a fixture in the Tigers’ back three at the expense of Geordan Murphy.
Wasps visit Sandy Park (17.30) where the chilled evening air will be filled by the sound of the Tomahawk chop as the Exeter Chiefs support expect Tom Hayes’ men to maintain their 100 percent home record in the league this season.
To round off the weekend, the most tantalising fixture in the division will take place on Sunday afternoon.
Second placed Saracens welcome Shane Monahan and Gloucester to Vicarage Road. The Cherrywhites will be intent on further establishing themselves as a play-off contender. They currently occupy third, but are level on points with Sunday’s opponents who will use this fixture as a ramp up to Heineken Cup intensity for their double-header against Munster.
