Irish ready for big stage - Casey

Casey will captain Irish at the Stoop on Saturday

London Irish are ready to take their place amongst the best sides in Europe, according to captain Bob Casey.

The Exiles face Harlequins at the Stoop on Saturday, with a place in the Premiership final at stake.

Casey told BBC Berkshire: "We've been building over the past few years, we've been involved in big games before and we know what we have to do.

"We're a lot better prepared this time round. The boys have trained really well, the coaches have been spot on."

Former Ireland international Casey, who has been at the club since 2002, admitted it has become a happier place to be over the years.

"I'm so glad I persevered. Those first three or four years were a nightmare. We were involved in relegation after relegation battles and we couldn't score a try for love nor money," he said.

"Now we're the top try-scorers in the Premiership. We've come a long way but we desperately want to win silverware and I desperately want to lift something for this club. For the fans and for everyone connected with London Irish, it would mean everything.

"In previous seasons we'd been involved in relegation battles, so it was all new to us and we probably thought making the semi-finals was the prize.

"But now the prize is getting to Twickenham and having a chance to win it."

The 30-year-old added last season's Heineken Cup run, which saw them reach the semi-finals before losing to Toulouse at Twickenham, stands them in good stead.

"That game was massive for us because 10 or 15 minutes in, we realised these players aren't much above what we're playing and we realised they were beatable," he said.

"It shows you how strong a side we are - we've come this far that we can compete with the best in Europe.

"We didn't win that day, but we certainly took a lot of confidence that we have to go out and play the way we love to play and if we do that, and defend like we can, then we give ourselves every chance."

Harlequins v London Irish kicks off at 1730 BST on Saturday, 9 May and is live on BBC Berkshire.