Declan Kidney will aim to get London Irish’s promotion push back on track when they face Doncaster Knights at home in the league this Saturday (3pm).
The Championship leaders lost last time out to Yorkshire Carnegie, ending a long unbeaten run stretching back to November.
Saturday’s game forms part of the Exiles' St Patrick’s Party celebrations and is always a special time for a club with longstanding Irish connections.
And the former Munster and Ireland head coach will be looking to use those positive vibes to extend the club’s eight-point lead at the top of the table. He said: “When Les Kiss and I joined London Irish a year ago our first home game was the St Patrick’s Party match.
London Irish Technical Director Declan Kidney and London Irish Head Coach Les Kiss (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)“It was obvious from the occasion what this day means to the club, and it is always a standout date in the calendar with a great atmosphere at the stadium.
“On the playing side of the club we know that it is up to us to live up to the occasion and put in a performance for our supporters to get behind and be proud of.”
The visitors have only won one of their last four matches and currently sit in 8th position in the 12-team league. But Kidney has been impressed with what he has seen from the Yorkshire side during their recent trips to the capital and is wary of the threat they possess.
“It is going to be a challenge against a strong Doncaster side,” he said.
Respect
“ Les and myself have locked horns with their coaches Clive Griffiths and Phil Larder many times over the years and we’ve got a lot of respect for them and their players.
“Doncaster have put in good performances on their trips to London this year, and while we’re keen to keep our home record going when you’re at this stage of the season you have to fight for every inch and every point.
“Our most recent game against Yorkshire Carnegie showed how competitive the Championship is this year, something which was also reflected by all of the teams between seventh and 12th in the table beating teams in higher positions in the most recent round.
“This was a good reminder that we cannot take anything for granted with five games remaining in the campaign.”
This year’s London Irish’s St Patrick’s Party is on Saturday, March 23 at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. Entertainment starts from 12.00. Tickets are from just £25 for adults and £5 for children, group discounts and family tickets available. Visit www.lidirect.co.uk or call 0118 968 1016
☘️ | @topsy_ojo can't wait to see you all on Saturday for our St Patrick's Party fixture against @DoncasterKnight! 👇
Get your tickets here 👉 https://t.co/0bupD0jT9Q
See what we have planned here 👉 https://t.co/0CAasLA7UF pic.twitter.com/mhhcO0nTTj— London Irish (@londonirish) March 20, 2019
