Leeds rugby director Andy Key wants to see his side confirm their Guinness Premiership status at Worcester next weekend
Leeds boss looking for similar commitment against Worcester
Leeds rugby director Andy Key wants to see his side confirm their Guinness Premiership status at Worcester next weekend after securing a fine victory at London Irish.
Leeds moved up to ninth place following the 23-13 success at the Madejski Stadium and require a draw against the bottom side to stay in the top flight.
However, Key warned against complacency heading into next week's clash at Headingley.
"We are absolutely ready for the job ahead because, as we said to the players, we haven't all worked this hard and come this far to end up on the slab again," he said. "Two games remaining, two games to win.
"That was the most pleasing performance of our season in terms of how we played and the character we displayed in the final quarter to keep Irish out. For me it was quite outstanding.
"I know we have a better record on the road than at home, but that's because we play without any sense of pressure away, hence our wins at Wasps, Sale and Newcastle.
"This win was tremendous because we achieved it despite not taking very good chances created in the first half.
"Now, the prospect of enjoying another season in the Premiership is wholly in our hands, and it's a job we must complete next week.
"Yes, I felt somewhat annoyed for a while when it seemed that Irish were coming in from the side to protect their ball. But we'll address that through the proper channels later.
"I'm probably more disappointed that we're losing three young players in the summer, products from our excellent academy. But this win, and a future in the Premiership, can make us a club such lads feel no need to leave for bigger prospects."
Fuming
London Irish head coach Toby Booth was left fuming after his side wasted a golden opportunity to return to the top four following Wasps victory 24 hours earlier.
"You cannot afford to relinquish control of your destiny at this stage of the season to a team fighting for their lives," he said.
"But when I look at the statistics and see we were guilty of 27 errors, I have some of the answers to my questions.
"Frankly, we were left wanting and could not establish a foothold in that game, despite starting well and leading.
"You have to hand power to your players to make decisions on the pitch, it's not a dictatorship. But I am very disappointed because we had plenty of ball and a lot of pressure without turning it into points.
"The stats' are damning and we lacked a little bit of punch. I credit Leeds for the fact that we were never allowed to get real control of the game. Now we are no longer in control of finishing in the top four, something the supporters here deserve.
"We have two games left and we must go out there and perform better than we did against Leeds."
