“WE KNOW what is riding on this game.”
That is the message from returning winger Alex Lewington ahead of this Sunday’s must-win clash against Newcastle Falcons in what he describes as “definitely one of the biggest games” he has ever been a part of.
With just three games of the season remaining, London Irish sit bottom of the Aviva Premiership, four points adrift of this weekend’s opponents, who are the only side left who the Exiles can catch if they are to save themselves from relegation.
And Lewington says the trip to the north-east has been on the players’ minds for a few weeks.
“Yeah we definitely have (had an eye on it),” he told The Wokingham Paper.
“We’re not naive.
“We know what is riding on this game so we know the importance of it and we’ll be desperate to get the result and put a performance out there which will make the fans proud.”
He added: “Mathematically obviously it’s not (over) if we lose but theoretically it’s not looking great.
“It is a must-win game for us.
“The Premiership is a crazy tournament and stuff happens but we’re pretty desperate to get the win.”
Head coach Tom Coventry is set to be boosted by both World Cup winner Ben Franks and Lewington coming back into the fold for Sunday’s crunch match following injury.
And the Exiles winger admits his setback came at a difficult time, missing the last three matches, which all ended in defeat against Worcester Warriors, Sale Sharks and Harlequins.
“It’s been pretty frustrating but hopefully I should be available for the weekend,” he said.
“Fingers crossed I’ll give the coaches every chance.
“I had a big muscle bleed in my leg, a big haematoma.
“It just took a long time for the swelling to eventually go down and for me to get full range and strength back in it so it’s been pretty tough to be honest.
“It wasn’t ideal but it’s looking good now.”
If Lewington is to come straight back into the side, it will be at the expense of Andrew Fenby, Sean Maitland, Topsy Ojo or Tom Fowlie, who have all stepped in and put in fine displays in recent weeks.
And the former Leicester Tigers man feels his job of getting into the team is tougher than most.
“It’s good competition,” he said.
“To be honest that’s what you need in a squad, for everyone to play well.
“I know that if the coaches do decide to go with me this weekend after my injury then I’ve got a responsibility to play well because otherwise those boys will be pretty annoyed.
“I’ve got a responsibility for those boys to do well in that shirt.
“I think it’s good and all the best squads in the world have that in every position.
“It’s tough being in probably the strongest position in our squad, the back three.”
A much-changed Exiles side surprised many last weekend by giving rivals Harlequins a mighty scare in their European Challenge Cup quarter-final, leading 30-18 at one stage before eventually losing 38-30.
And Lewington feels that game could have a positive impact on the side going into the final month of the season.
“Obviously we’re still disappointed to have lost being in such a good position later on in the game,” he said.
“But for a lot of the boys who haven’t played for a long time, to be involved in that game and play so well and put their hands up, credit to them.
“I’m sure the coaches will be struggling this week to make a few tight selection calls.
“It was a good little catalyst for us going into this week.”
But providing there are no late recurrences of his muscle injury, Lewington is firmly expected to return to the squad for the trip to the north-east and he acknowledges just how massive this weekend could turn out to be.
“I’ve played in big games before where for me personally it was important that I performed and obviously that is one of those games this weekend,” he said.
“But in terms of the whole team having to perform to produce the result, this is definitely one of the biggest games I’ve played in.
“It’s exciting but we’ll be ready come Sunday.”
