London Irish lost their fight last year - Booth

Booth guided London Irish to the Premiership final in 2009

London Irish coach Toby Booth believes his side's lack of enthusiasm last season cost them dearly.

The Exiles were top of the Premiership last Christmas before falling off the pace dramatically and finishing the campaign in sixth place.

Booth is sure a much younger squad will provide the hunger that was lacking.

"Last year they weren't up for it. A lot of people were chewing up a lot of time for the wrong reasons," he told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"Our squad is young, but what you get with youth is a massive amount of enthusiasm, and that's what drives everyone forward."

Booth believes his squad will benefit from the restructuring that has been undertaken this summer, particularly following the departures of some less-interested players.

"I've lost a lot of the energy-sapping element of the team, so we've got a much more harmonious group of players who are committed and ambitious to achieve things for the club and for themselves."

London Irish begin their Premiership season against Harlequins in the Twickenham double-header and Booth is positive his team can negotiate the first stage of the season with a relatively inexperienced squad.

"The team reminds me of an academy side, and our job is to try to fast-track as much experience into them as possible."

"The challenge will be to see if we can still remain exceptionally competitive, especially in the early part with the World Cup when a lot of our experience is absent.

"It's an exciting time and I'm looking forward to the challenge and i know the players are too," he added.