London Irish have been making big strides in the past two seasons - and they will be out to finally get their hands on some silverware.
Exiles looking to build on two promising seasons
London Irish have been making big strides in the past two seasons - and they will be looking to finally get their hands on some silverware this time around.
From their European exploits in 2008 to their Guinners Premiership play-off runners-up last season, the Exiles have been winning over fans wherever they play.
In Toby Booth and Mike Catt they have two of the game's most forward-thinking coaches, while they have pulled off a mini-coup in bringing the highly-rated defence guru Dave Ellis back from France.
Ellis, who will continue in his role with Les Bleus, already has a good base to work from with the Exiles having one of the meanest defences in the Premiership.
The loss of Shane Geraghty looks, on paper, to be a blow to Irish's hopes - however Booth has moved quickly to replace him with the talented Ryan Lamb, with Chris Malone set to provide cover after moving from Quins.
Ferocious
Samoan flanker George Stowers will add a physical presence to the pack - just ask his new team-mate Nick Kennedy, who was on the receiving end of a ferocious hit playing for England against the Pacific Islanders.
Booth has also bolstered his front-row with James Tideswell, rated as one of the best young props in the game, joining from Plymouth and Romania international Paulica Ion arriving from Bath.
Former Falcon Andy Perry will come into the second row after a move for Andy Buist fell through.
James Hudson has headed to Newcastle while Tonga Lea'aetoa has been lured across to France by the mega-rich Toulon.
But in locks Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy and hooker David Paice they have one of the best lineout combinations in the Premiership.
Irish will also look to call on the likes of talented youngsters Tom Homer, Adam Thompstone and Alex Corbisiero to continue their development, while the Armitage brothers will be out to build on their impressive 2008-9 campaign.
