Casey says Irish have the players to get them out of their 'mini rut'

London Irish captain Bob Casey is promising better from his team after an 'unacceptable' defeat against Bath.

The Exiles were beaten 35-22 last weekend and will try to bounce back at Newcastle on Saturday.

Casey told BBC Berkshire: "As players, that was unacceptable on Sunday, so we have to put it behind us and make sure it doesn't happen again

"I'm a firm believer that if you roll up your sleeves, work hard and do more analysis, it'll come right."

Casey added: "We're fourth in the Premiership, we go away to Newcastle and a win puts us right back to where we want to be. We're still in the play-off places."

He denied defence coach Dave Ellis' absence with France contributed to the poor defensive performance against Bath.

"Dave's been brilliant for us and has put everything in place, so even if he's not there on game day it shouldn't go wrong like that," he said

"That was very disappointing from our point of view, but the coaching staff have been working overtime. We've had one-on-ones with everyone.

"As players, that was unacceptable on Sunday so we have to put it behind us and make sure it doesn't happen again."

Newcastle beat Irish 15-11 when the two teams met at Reading in November.

Casey believes they have a score to settle, particularly in the line-out where former Exile James Hudson performed so well at the Madejski Stadium.

"He did well and has done well since his move up to Newcastle," he said.

"But we have some very good locks here - we're still have one of the best Premiership line-outs and have stolen the most ball out of anybody.

"We'll have some little plans up our sleeves and it's also about our execution at line-out time. We made it easier for him and his team before so we'll be looking to put that right this weekend."

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