Exiles rollercoaster reaches peak

London Irish are ready to hit the high spot of their season tomorrow after what coach Gary Gold admits has been a “rollercoaster” ride.

Irish tackle Powergen Cup semi-final opponents Leeds at Headingley, chasing the prize of a Twickenham date with Gloucester or Bath on April 16.

There is also the considerable matter of top-flight European qualification for this season’s domestic cup winners, as Irish face a third successive tie on the road following victories over Worcester and Saracens.

Irish lifted the cup in 2002, and Gold is acutely aware of the impact another Twickenham triumph could have.

“We got some good wins together playing good rugby, then we admit we let ourselves down over Christmas,” said Gold, whose team are currently seven points above Zurich Premiership basement club Leeds.

“Last weekend, we played well for 60 minutes against Wasps, then we were staring down the barrel after letting in three quick tries.

“But confidence is still high and, dare I say it, we are in a position to peak towards the end of the season.

“We take the Powergen Cup very seriously. We’ve had tremendous success in the competition in the last few years, and it is very important to be able to reward the players and the supporters with a day out at Twickenham,” he added.

“It also gives us another opportunity to qualify for Europe, and it is important for us to test ourselves at the highest level.”

The Exiles’ preparations have received a huge lift with England World Cup winner Mike Catt agreeing a new one-year contract, and he will look to ignite a back division that has yet to score a try in this season’s competition, having seen off Worcester and Saracens through Mark Mapletoft’s prodigious goalkicking.

Gloucester could have French international hooker Olivier Azam in their match-day 22 for tomorrow’s sold-out West Country derby against Bath at Kingsholm.

Azam has been sidelined since mid-October after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he returned to full-contact training this week and is likely to be on the bench as Gloucester target a Twickenham return following their cup final success two years ago.

Bath, though, despite suffering a 17-16 Premiership defeat at Gloucester last month, will start as favourites given that they have won all four previous semi-finals between the clubs.

“Every home game we play at the moment seems to be a derby. They are great occasions, and it will be a special day for us,” said Gloucester rugby director Nigel Melville.

“Nobody has a divine right to go through, and we are well aware it is going to be a battle from start to finish on Sunday. That is what 13,000 spectators are coming to watch, and I am sure everyone’s perception of an ideal West Country derby will be delivered.”

England lock Steve Borthwick will captain Bath while hooker Jonathan Humphreys continues his recovery from a heel injury, with Borthwick’s RBS 6 Nations colleagues Danny Grewcock, Duncan Bell, Matt Stevens and Olly Barkley also featuring in a 25-man squad.

And prop David Barnes is included after being passed fit following his recovery from a broken arm.

“This is a pretty big game for both sides,” said Bath coach John Connolly.

“We are confident heading into the game, and I don’t think that the (Premiership) result two weeks ago is a factor.

“We failed to take our chances in that game, and there will be a number of other variables on Sunday, like a change in personnel, change in referee and change in conditions. It will be an extremely tough game.”