Hassell-Collins ‘excited to get going’ at Connacht

Ollie Hassell-Collins is ‘excited to get going’ - as London Irish prepare for a pre-season clash against Connacht Rugby tonight (Friday).

The Exiles take on the United Rugby Championship (URC) outfit at The Sportsground this evening, for a final pre-season outing before the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season commences next weekend.

Speaking at the Prem Rugby launch at Twickenham on Thursday, Hassell-Collins said: “We’re excited to get going against Connacht on Friday.

“We’re all looking forward to the league campaign getting underway and this is the final piece of the jigsaw against Connacht before the season gets underway next weekend.

“It feels like its been a long pre-season. We’ve done all the training, we’ve done all the conditioning - and we’re ready to get going now.

“It will be nice to get out there and play with the boys.”

He added: “It’s go-time - we’re ready and looking forward to the season.

“It’ll be nice to have a change of scenery in Ireland, another opportunity to gel as a group and take that final step into next weekend when we travel to Worcester.”

Looking ahead to the start of the new campaign, Hassell-Collins - who received an England training squad call-up in the summer - added: “I just want to keep performing well for Irish, playing as many games as I can - that’s my only priority. Whatever else happens after that will happen as a result of my form with Irish.

“As a squad, we want to keep pushing on this season, improving game after game, week after week - let’s see where it takes us.

“We feel we’ve got a good group, we’re all in it together, so we’re excited about what’s to come.”