Exiles’ long wait for action frustrates Kidney

DECLAN Kidney admits it has been frustrating having to endure a long break between Premiership games while others have had the chance to retain that all important match sharpness.

Having been knocked out of Europe in the early stages, London Irish have had to sit and watch for the last two weeks rather than build on their momentum heading into the final stages.

Having been long-term outsiders to snatch a top four spot, Exiles’ play-off fate is now in their own hands following the win over Northampton in the last Premiership round plus slip ups for Exeter, Harlequins and Bristol at the same time.

However, Irish will have gone 29 days without action on the field by the time they face the crucial trip to London rivals Saracens on Saturday week. The rearranged Premiership fixture schedule – caused by demise of Wasps and Worcester – means they miss out next weekend.

Irish director of rugby Kidney said: “We have had the challenge to go to a few weeks before our next match while Exeter and some of the others have had European games to keep them going.

“We looked high and low for matches to keep us ticking over but so many teams are still playing in Europe. Naturally, that was a little frustrating but we have to deal with it.

“Each part of the season has a different focus and we’d loved to have been playing EPCR games, but it was our first run in the competition this year and, unfortunately, we failed to progress. There was a point or two which went begging which could have kept us going and put us in the Challenge Cup last 16. But we will look back at that at the end of the year and it will be all part of the learning and growth we can make in Europe next season.”

Kidney added: “It’s been a wonderful journey so far this season and everyone is determined to keep it going until the very end.”