Casey was recalled to the Ireland squad after an eight-year hiatus

London Irish captain Bob Casey is targeting a top four finish in the Guinness Premiership and victory in the Challenge Cup this new season.

Casey told BBC Radio Berkshire: "It's a big season for us obviously, with the change of coach.

"This team has been building for the last three years and we really need to take another step forward.

"We'll be looking to finish in the top four in the Premiership, guaranteeing qualification for the Heineken Cup.

He added: "And we'll be looking to win silverware and win that Challenge Cup.

Irish have endured an unsettled pre-season with the departure of director of rugby Brian Smith to take up the post of England's attack coach and the subsequent promotion of Toby Booth.

"It's been a tough summer and we can't wait for the season to start," Casey said.

The introduction of the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) has asked fresh questions of the players, and a newly streamlined Casey is satisfied with the way the squad is coming to grips with the changes.

"We've been training very hard over the summer. With the new rules they want us to be as light as we possibly can be without losing strength and power, so I've shed a few kilos.

This team has been building for the last three years and we really need to take another step forward Bob Casey

"We're just trying to adapt to them [ELVs]. We've had two pre-season games now, and we're almost on top of them I think.

"We've trained with them for the last 12 weeks so we know them and it's just a matter of training your mind to do that in games."