London Irish boss Brian Smith says his side are ready for a physical battle with Perpignan next week.
Exiles coach expecting tough test in France
London Irish boss Brian Smith says his side are ready for a physical battle with Perpignan next week.
Smith saw his side end their losing run in the Guinness Premiership with a 28-8 victory over Bristol at the Madejski Stadium.
However, his thoughts immediately turned to next weekend's Heineken Cup rematch with Perpignan and gaining revenge for the horrific injury sustained by Kieran Roche the last time the two teams met.
Perpignan's England prop Perry Freshwater was banned for four weeks after Roche suffered a fractured cheekbone and eye socket, which left him temporarily blinded, in the group match in France in December.
Irish, who had beaten Perpignan 24-16 at their home ground in Reading the previous week, lost the return 23-6 and director of rugby Smith said: "We will get our own back if we win the match. That's all Kieran wants.
Old school tactics
"Perpignan have made no secret in the last month that they have gone back to old school knock 'em down, drag 'em out tactics.
"It was pretty apparent to us when we played them over there. Their captain took on those tactics on Roachie and we haven't forgotten about it. We know what's coming and we're ready.
"We want to win the game but we know sometimes you have to win the arm wrestle as well."
Smith's assistant Toby Booth said: "We know how physical they are but we are really pleased with the referee appointment because we know Alain Rolland is aware of the previous situation and will have done his research.
"I'm sure he will make it very clear to all what will not be tolerated. The game's going to be tough enough without playing it with 14 players on the pitch."
Great performance
The Irish management duo were delighted with today's confidence-boosting performance against Bristol.
But Smith called for "another 25% across the board" from his team next week and added: "Bristol are a very lumpy side and so are Perpignan so in many ways today was a good dress rehearsal. We still look to have another gear or two to go up."
Bristol coach Richard Hill, whose side have nothing left to play for in the league this season, said: "We're disappointed to lose but as nothing rides on it isn't a loss where you are going to slit your throat.
"It was an opportunity for us to play a bit of rugby and try out one or two new players in the squad. No one likes losing but there are different objectives for Bristol in the matches to come."
Hill added: "We made too many errors. We had enough possession to have won the game. Try-scorer Tom Arscott could have had a hat trick but two forward passes stopped him from doing that."
