Dermody experienced play-off rugby with Southland in New Zealand

London Irish prop Clarke Dermody has insisted the club will not let the pressure of knockout rugby curb their attacking instincts.

The Exiles face Harlequins on Saturday in the Premiership semi-final at the Twickenham Stoop.

He said: "For the first 20 minutes there'll be all the emotion and we'll be feeling each other out.

"But we're a team that on our day can knock anyone over and that makes us pretty dangerous."

Dermody admitted that Irish's open attacking style sometimes makes life difficult for their supporters.

"Some people might look at us and might think we're not sure what's going on, but we play to a plan and hopefully things will go right this weekend," he said.

"My brother's been to a few games this season and he just shakes his head at the end of the games and asks what we were doing.

"We're a hard team to watch and you're on the edge of your seat all the time, but I guess that brings the fans in and makes a game of it."

Dermody joined London Irish in 2007 from New Zealand, where he played for Otago Highlanders and Southland. Despite winning three caps for the All Blacks, Dermody is without any silverware as yet - something he is determined to put right.

"This is the pinnacle of English rugby. It's the reason I came over, to try a different competition," he said.

"I never had the chance with the Highlanders to play knockout rugby in the Super 14. But all you need is a ticket to the party.

"I've never won any major silverware and it's a great chance to do that. We threw away our chance in the Challenge Cup, although that's given us a week off. Hopefully we'll be fresh for a last push for this title."

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

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