Easterby happy to scupper Irish hopes

For Guy Easterby there will be no question of divided loyalties as he endeavours to scupper London Irish's hopes of remaining in the English League Division One.

The 27-year-old Yorkshire-born farmer will tonight temporarily sever his Irish connection and concentrate on securing a first leg lead for Rotherham as London Irish travel to Clifton Lane, Badsley Moor, for their Division One relegation play-off.

Easterby is one of two Rotherham players hoping to receive further representative experience with Ireland. The scrum-half played for Ireland A last year, coming on as a half-time replacement against Canada. He also took part in the Exiles' victory over a Development XV in Limerick.

Second row Gavin Webster has already represented the Ireland Students and Universities, and is hoping to play well tonight. Easterby articulates the desire: "This is a massive opportunity and one that I hope I can take. I didn't play particularly well in the two games that the selectors saw me play and therefore want to make the most of the chance this time.

"This is my first year playing full-time rugby and, depending on how the play-offs go, I might extend that. I wouldn't mind going to London. I certainly want to give myself an opportunity to earn a place in the Irish set-up."

Easterby recognises the improved results since the arrival of Dick Best and Brendan Venter, and he claims that London Scottish's victory over Bristol in the other play-off match is not necessarily a foretaste of things to come.

"London Irish are so much better than Bristol, it's not true. They (Bristol) appeared to self-destruct when they were well ahead, and then went and had a player sent off. We know we're massive under-dogs, but hopefully ones that possess some bite. We haven't had a match for almost a month, but that has allowed several players to get over injury problems.

"We have a new coach, John Phillips, from Canterbury, who is really excellent. And he knows Warren Gatland and he has promised to let Warren know how we are doing."

Rotherham have already played London Irish twice this season, losing 25-21 at home in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Cup and 24-14 at Sunbury in the English Cup. Easterby concedes: "I think both teams have moved on a great deal since then."

Best won't tolerate any repeat of the club's first leg defeat against Coventry in last season's play-off. "Irish have been in this type of situation before, but I don't want a repeat of what happened last year. I'd like to put the thing to bed," he said.

"For me personally, I've never been involved in the play-offs and I see it as a challenge. It's a bit like a cup game, a one-off, except that it's a two-legged affair. With London Scottish winning by four points against Bristol at the weekend, it makes it all the more attainable (for Rotherham).

"I wouldn't say that jobs are on the line," he continued, "but there is the prospect of going down. Irish have had some fairly turbulent times recently. They came up and were involved in the play-offs. It has made for a lot of trauma."

Best rested virtually his entire first team against Leicester at the weekend in preparation for tonight's game; only Winger Justin Bishop played in that 55-16 home defeat. The London Irish team boasts eight full Irish internationals and will be captained by Conor O'Shea.

Rotherham expect a crowd in excess of 5,000 for the biggest match in their 75-year history. They were, however, only informed of the playoffs 11 days ago and team manager Steve Cousins admits:

"The biggest hurdle was not knowing but we have changed the pattern of our training to try and cope."

Best offered the following assessment: "They're a very well organised and workmanlike side and they have a couple of match-winners.

"Simon Binns will be one of their key players. They also have a good, hard-working pack and it's going to be very tough. We will have to be at our best to win."