McCullen: Exiles gunning for a
top four finish
 By David
Thorpe
It is a sign of the progress being made by London Irish that when they
needed a new flanker, the Exiles were able to recruit the experienced
Aidan McCullen from French giants Toulouse.
The Dubliner has enjoyed a top level Rugby career, playing for Leinster
and Toulouse before joining the Exiles at the start of the season. He
has represented Ireland at all levels, and wasn’t short of offers
when he decided to leave the French Champions.
Speaking to the Irish Post following his team’s victory over Bath
on Saturday, Aidan said that the obvious ambition of the club and the
free-flowing style of Rugby played at the Madjeski Stadium this season
was decisive in his choosing to continue his rugby career with Brian Smith’s
men.
“They play an attacking style of rugby, which involves counter-attacking
and getting the ball to the backs quickly for them to run. My last club
Toulouse are known as the prime exponents of that style, so having played
that way for so long I was pleased to be able to do that again”
he said.
The Exiles enjoyed one of their best ever season’s last year, qualifying
for the Heineken Cup for only the second time in their history. This season
has begun in much less impressive fashion, but McCullen claims that the
weekend’s hard-fought 21-17 defeat of Bath could be a turning point
in their season.
“After having such a great year last season, hopes are high once
again. We want to finish in the top four of the Premiership and qualify
for Europe once again.
“We have two big games coming up starting off with Gloucester this
Friday at home. They’re flying at the moment and showed in their
win over Saracens last weekend why they’re top of the Premiership.
After that we’re away to Leicester so it’s not going to be
easy but we’re very confident at London Irish.
“We need to pick up something from these two games, if we’re
beaten in both then it will seriously dent our aspirations thi season.
We had a few injuries at the start of the season so there was a lot of
chopping and changing to the team, it’s only in the past few weeks
we have had a more settled line-up and the results and performances have
improved as a result. We are not far off top spot, and with a few decent
results we can be back in contention for the league again”.
Aidan hails from Castleknock on Dublin’s Northside, and after breaking
into the Leinster team at the start of the Millenium was capped by Ireland
in 2003. On the strength of those performances came a move to Toulouse
and now London Irish.
“It’s really a great place to play the game, we get great
crowds, play very attacking rugby and are definitely moving in the right
direction. The coach, Brian Smith is not content to just tread water with
London Irish. The players he has brought in, especially the younger guys
who have come through the ranks and feel great loyalty to the club want
to win matches at the highest level. As long as that mentality remains
the club has a very bright future ahead of it.”
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