Irish must up tempo to sap Sharks power
TOM Homer has warned London Irish to front-up or be smashed by a powerpacked Sale side who in recent years have routinely embarrassed the Exiles.
Sharks sank the Irish 41-7 in last season’s first meeting in Reading before ripping them apart 39-0 at the AJ Bell Stadium, extending a run that has seen Steve Diamond’s men rack up six successive victories over Exiles, notching 27 tries along the way.
Full-back Homer, who rejoined Irish from Bath in July, told The Rugby Paper: “They’re a big, physical team and once they get going, they’re pretty hard to stop. We must play with a high tempo and move the point of contact because we don’t want to try and beat them at their own game – they’ve been doing it for a long time now and they’re very good at it.
“We met the physical challenge against Leicester last week and that starts with the defence, which on the whole was outstanding, especially close to our own line. We’ve got to replicate that this week and then we know we’ve got some good attacking threats. We like to keep the ball alive and if we can make our passes stick, it’ll be a good day.”
London Irish have not won back-to-back Premiership games since February 2016, so this would be an opportune time to start in front of a welcome crowd of 2,000 at their new home in Brentford as they aim to build on last week’s 22-9 win over the Tigers
“Last week was pleasing,” says Homer. “Wins are hard to come by in this league and it was a great way to start our campaign at the new ground after losing by a point at Worcester.
“There’s a big difference at the beginning of the week when you win and we want to keep improving now.
“There’ll be 2,000 people in and that’s exciting because without crowds it’s just not the same. It’ll be good to hear those loud London Irish voices again.”
Homer made his Premiership debut for Irish as an 18-year-old against Saracens in November 2008 and ended his first season playing in the final as the Exiles came up short by a point to Leicester, losing 10-9.
Irish had reached the semi-final of the previous season’s Heineken Cup and Homer, now 30, is keen for a return to those rock-androll years the club enjoyed under Brian Smith and Toby Booth.
He said: “When I first joined Irish, perhaps I didn’t realise how lucky I was in terms of being thrust into an environment that was great for me at the start of my career.
“That’s what we’re working towards again now, trying to create a similar environment and culture where players can thrive and bring out the best in everyone at the club around them.
“There’s a really good bunch of boys here, a mixture of talented lads who’ve come through the academy together and some older players with a lot of experience and knowledge of the game. We combine well and are determined to move Irish forward.
“Everyone’s ambition is to win silverware and compete in the Champions Cup. It takes time but if you look at Exeter, they’ve built every year and continually improved and they’ve just done the double. We’re heading in the right direction, which is exciting.”
Homer might have headed abroad, but adds: “There was a time when I was considering all options after being released by Bath, but Irish became interested and after having a good chat with Declan Kidney, everything seemed so positive around the place.
“Irish were very keen and it seemed a good fit. I’m excited to be back.”
Irish make two changes from the win against Leicester with back row Blair Cowan on Scotland duty and Nick Phipps in for Ben Meehan at scrum-half.
Irish academy back row Izzy Moore-Aiono replaces Cowan for his first Premiership start.
Injuries have forced Sale into five changes from their defeat by Newcastle.
Back rows Ben Curry (shoulder) and Dan du Preez (hand) are among the absentees from last Friday night.
The Sharks welcome back Will-Griff John, Jono Ross and Jean-Luc du Preez from illness and injury, and former Irish winger Marland Yarde gets the nod ahead of Denny Solomona in the back line.