Scrum-half Scott Steele is now a seasoned member of the London Irish squad and is currently in his sixth pre-season as a London Irish player.
The Scotsman joined the Exiles ahead of the start of the 2014/15 season and has amassed 117 appearances during that period, crossing for 20 tries.
Having endured last season in the Championship, Steele says the squad are committed to working hard this pre-season to ensure they are as prepared as best they can be for life back in the top tier of domestic rugby.
“The Championship is a tough league and we never took for granted the fact that it was going to be easy and that we would come straight back up” said Steele.
“However, once we got it done in the away game against Richmond, there was a massive sense of excitement going back into the new season. As players you always want to test yourself against the best players and teams and it is exciting to be back.
“This is why we are putting in the hard graft here at training. If we are lucky enough to get picked to play in the Premiership, we can go out there and put in good performances and ultimately get the victories we will need.”
The hard graft started back in June when the players returned for the start of pre-season. Although the sessions are demanding, Steele went on to explain that the squad are taking the sessions head-on.
“It’s been tough, we had our first four-week block and then had a down week and now we are just starting the second block which includes a bit more rugby, which is great. It is all go at the minute, training all through the week and having a couple of days at the weekend to rest up before we go again. All the boys are enjoying it and it is all about putting in the hard graft now.”
Scott is keen to pass on his Premiership experience to the younger members of the squad, who are all chomping at the bit to pull on the Irish colors in a Premiership fixture.
“The enthusiasm in the group right now is right up there, and the younger members of the squad are really stepping up in pre-season. It’s a great place to be coming to work and the whole squad is buying into the way we are doing things.”
To see Scott and the rest of the London Irish squad in action this season, click here to purchase your season ticket.
