Smith hails Exiles talent

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith believes that the club will have plenty of representation on England’s mid-year tour to South Africa.

The Exiles signed off from 2011/12 with a six-try win over Gloucester at the Madejski Stadium as they said farewell to England-bound attack coach Mike Catt, as well as the likes of captain Bob Casey and wing Delon Armitage in fine style.

The Exiles’ tries came courtesy of Darren Allinson, Jonathan Joseph, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Marland Yarde and the departing Armitage, while full-back Tom Homer booted 22 points. And Smith backed the classy Joseph and Armitage to book themselves places in England’s squad to tour South Africa, with new head coach Stuart Lancaster among the crowd in Reading.

The former England coach Smith was effusive in his praise of centre Joseph.

“I can see Jonathan Joseph going, with Mike Catt as part of the England coaching team now,” he said. “He knows what Jonathan is capable of and I think he is an outstanding talent.

“He is ready, he is as good a 13 as there is at the moment. England are lucky to have him and I would not be at all surprised if he is named on tour and starts a Test.”

Gloucester coach Carl Hogg was furious with his side’s performance as they ended the season with a sixth-straight defeat as Mike Tindall finished his Kingsholm career on a crushing low.

“It was an embarrassing performance and at the end of a long hard season it is unacceptable,” he said. “We need to go away and have a good hard look at ourselves over the summer as that was not acceptable, and I can only apologise to the supporters who came across to Reading to witness that.”