Irish will bounce back - Danaher

Danaher is the Exiles' longest-serving player, having joined in 1999.

London Irish flanker Declan Danaher insists they will bounce back from their opening-day defeat when they play Gloucester on Sunday.

Irish lost their first match against Saracens 18-14 and Danaher said a poor first-half display let them down.

He told BBC Berkshire: "We need to be playing for 80 minutes not just in the second half.

"If we create half as many chances against Gloucester as we did in the second half then we can win."

Danaher said Irish were looking forward to their first match of the season at the Madjeski Stadium.

"It's is a great place to play rugby. The type of rugby we play, this wide expansive game, it really suits us and we're really looking forward to getting back there," he said.

"You almost wish the game could be today.

"You just want to get that 'W' on the board and it just sets things rolling nicely."

Danaher maintains this is the best Exiles squad he has seen in his 10 years at the club.

"The majority of the guys are still here from last year, which was a great season for us," he said.

"We've recruited really well in terms of Ryan Lamb, Chris Malone, George Stowers and guys like that who've come in and can only make it a better squad."

London Irish v Gloucester kicks off at 1500 BST on Sunday, 13 September and is live on BBC Berkshire.