Will Goodrick-Clarke loved feeling the ‘drive’ from the Exile Nation crowd gave him and his team-mates in last weekend’s fixture against Sale Sharks at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Now, as the Club turns the focus to Saturday’s trip to Franklin’s Gardens to take on Northampton Saints, he reflected on the Exiles’ first home game of the season.

“It was great to be back at the Brentford Community Stadium. It was stressful, as I’m sure it was for all the supports watching! We love playing there every time we get the chance,” he said.

“The noise from the stands really drives you on. You can feel the crowd behind you and it’s great. The BCS creates a brilliant atmosphere to play in front of and it’s very enjoyable.”

Round 3 sees Irish take on the unbeaten Northampton Saints in the Midlands and Goodrick-Clarke is expecting an exciting fixture for the supporters.

“I’m looking forward to what I think will be a great game. They like to throw the ball around a lot, which is something that we try and do as well.

“It has all the ingredients to be a really attacking fixture. For me personally, they also have a great pack and front row. It will be a physical test for us, but we will be looking to front up and give our backs the platform to do their thing.”

There are many ingredients that create the recipe of success for a rugby club, and the London Irish prop thinks a key element comes from within the squad itself - relationships.

“From a front row’s perspective, the relationship and how you work together is key,” he explained.

“Gus Creevy and I have now packed down together in … I don’t know how many scrums! That has given us a good understanding of how each other works. It’s all about relationships and they can only get better with time.

“Bringing Marcel van der Merwe in, who has a huge amount of experience, has been beneficial. He’s a great in the scrums and a good person to learn from.

“We are very close as a squad now. In those tough moments, it’s the bond that will pull us through.”

Click here to secure tickets to home fixtures!

Ad Space