Catt is on the bench for the match against Sale

London Irish backs coach Mike Catt says Sunday's match against Sale is of vital importance for both teams.

The Exiles are currently one place outside the play-off places, while Sale are just two points off the bottom.

Catt told BBC Berkshire: "For us to be where we should be, in the top four, we have to win at the weekend.

"There's been a couple of months now when we've had a bit of a bad spell, but we've got the squad of players to push on over the last six matches."

Irish were last in action almost three weeks ago, when they lost 35-19 at Leicester.

Catt said the players have responded well to having three weeks without any matches.

"We had a week in Tenerife with the sun on our backs and the confidence and the buzz around the squad, going into the last phase of the Premiership, is brilliant," he said.

"The players were very professional in everything they did - it shows just where this team really wants to go - we got a hell of a lot of work done."

Catt added that both teams will have some key players returning from international duty.

"Sale proved against Wasps that they're a formidable side and they'll have Mathew Tait, Mark Cueto and Dwayne Peel back," he said.

"But we've a few guys coming back in key positions - Delon Armitage and Paul Hodgson, both back from England very disappointed.

"It's now a great time for them to put their hands up and say, 'you've made a mistake, take me on the summer tour and I'll prove you wrong'."

London Irish versus Sale kicks off at 1500 BST and is live on BBC Berkshire.

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