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Leeds will make it tough for Exiles
Leeds Tykes v London Irish
Powergen Cup semi-final preview, Sunday March 6, 12.15pm
London Irish travel to Headingley on Sunday hopeful of avoiding a third consecutive defeat by Leeds Tykes this season. The sides clash in this Sunday’s eagerly awaited Powergen Cup semi-final with the form of both teams almost identical.
Both sides are experiencing inconsistent form in the Zurich Premiership this season, so a place in a Twickenham showpiece final would appear to be their last hope of success.
London Irish will be hopeful of a return to the venue of their great triumph almost three years ago but Laois man and Leeds Tykes forward Colm Rigney will be looking to see their Yorkshire-based opponents to reach their first ever Twickenham final and is optimistic for his club’s chances.
Colm Rigney was one of the mass exodus of Connacht players who tried his luck in the Premiership in the close season of 2003 and has managed to command a regular place in the Leeds Tykes pack since his arrival at Headingley.
“It’s gone pretty well for me since I left Connacht and I hope the team will continue to improve and progress. I delighted to say my own game has improved no end,” said Rigney.
In their fourth season in the Premiership, Leeds Tykes have successfully consolidated their position in the table and shown noticeable progress since September 2001. But since the appointment of coach Phil Davies and a number of high-profile signings in the close season, Tykes’ marked progress and change of fortunes has not taken Rigney by surprise.
He said: “When I came here last season there were a few good players here but since the new signings came at the start of this season there is certainly a big improvement in form. We know we are a good team and can get even better and on our day can beat any team.”
However, Rigney also admitted the Tykes league form could be better and while they will continue to take one game at a time, they will be treating the Cup semi-final as a one-off game.
Rigney said: “We'll obviously have a big following on Sunday and it will be the biggest day in the club’s short Premiership history. Hopefully, we can reproduce the kind of form we showed at Franklin’s Gardens in the previous round which took many people by surprise. I personally believe coach Phil Davies has made a huge difference on my own progress as well as that of the team and London Irish are certainly going to find it tough this Sunday.”
Rigney also spoke of the possibility of Davies introducing David Doherty — one of the club’s most exciting prospects into the game.
“Teenager David will be making his league debut against Saracens and if he reproduces the kind of form he has been showing on the training field, then he could be Tykes secret weapon,” said Rigney.
Leeds Tykes’ progress this season is all the more remarkable, having to compete for support in one of the established rugby league heartlands in the country.
“We seem to manage alright for support because a different kind of supporter supports each code with very little cross-over between them,” he said.
And Leeds Tykes coach Phil Davies said: “Everyone believed the last game between the sides in January was a rehearsal for this Sunday’s cup semi-final but it will have no bearing on the outcome. Cup games are a one-off and it is down to how the team performs on the day.
“London Irish are a very well-organised side with a big pack of forwards who can control a game if you allow them to. They are good in the set play and are able to control possession so it is important that we keep hold of the ball when we have it. In Mark Mapletoft they have a great goal kicker who will punish us if our discipline is not up to the top level. We managed that on the last occasion against them and reaped the rewards and we will need to produce more of the same on Sunday.”
Until their impressive display against Saracens in their last game, the Exiles were struggling to score tries. Previously they had scored just 17 in 13 games in the Premiership which was the lowest total in the league, whilst they had not scored a try bonus point in their last 28 matches until Kieron Dawson’s injury-time score at Vicarage Road.
The two teams have met on eight previous occasions in the Premiership with the teams sharing four wins each including with Leeds winning twice this season at the Madejski Stadium and at Headingley recently by 16-5.
The early noon kick-off will rule out a large travelling support for London Irish. Many of the Exiles who have decided to make the long journey to Leeds will be leaving London around 6am. Hopefully, Exiles can reproduce the kind of form they enjoyed on their last two visits to Vicarage Road and so it will not be too long a journey back from South Yorkshire.
Tickets for game are still on sale and can be bought from the Ticket Office Hotline on (0113) 278 6181 ext 229 or fans can choose which seats they would specifically like by booking online.
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