Published: Thursday, 27th November, 2008 9:00am

Booth wary of 'desperate' Bristol

by John O'Sullivan

Bristol vs London Irish preview

LONDON Irish are sitting in their highest league position in more than three years on the back of a six-game winning streak.

The club's Samoan sensations Sailosi Tagicakibau and Seilala Mapusua are ready to return after three weeks away with the Pacific Islanders.

And on Sunday the Exiles travel to rock-bottom Bristol who have only won twice in their last 12 outings.

So head coach Toby Booth could be forgiven for being a bit bullish ahead of their trip down the M4. But that wouldn't be very like the meticulous rookie coach, who continues to impress in his first year in charge.

Booth is refusing to take Richard Hill's relegation-threatened side lightly and says his players will be told in no uncertain terms that if they fail to turn up on Sunday, they will be beaten.

He said: "Make no bones about it, it is always a difficult game when you go there. If we do not take them seriously we will get beaten. It's as simple as that.

"Richard Hill has a group of players that will always compete and that will always compete for 85 minutes, so we will be in a real game.

"They are really desperate at the moment, but sometimes people in desperation produce the most unexpected and spectacular things, so we have to guard against that.

"Looking back at the Bath game, which is the last game we lost in the league, I think we were a bit overconfident and that cost us in the end. I've mentioned that to the players and it is my job to make sure the same thing does not happen against Bristol."

Irish have Tagicakibau, Mapusua and Tonga Lea'aetoa back from international duty, but will sorely miss Nick Kennedy in the second row, who has been belatedly called back into the England side.

Irish are currently in their highest league position since the first round of the 2005/06 season.

Last season the hosts came out on top in both meetings of these sides, but a win for the travelling Irish could lift them into the top spot.

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