NICK Kennedy admitted his London Irish side must sharpen up their attacking play after another near-miss in a 19-15 Aviva Premiership defeat at Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

It was a 12th consecutive league loss for Exiles since their sensational opening day success against Harlequins, although they have picked up a losing bonus-point in four of their last six games, beaten by five points or fewer by Bath, Wasps, Newcastle Falcons and most recently Tigers.

The point did reduce the deficit to second-bottom Worcester Warriors to only nine points, but Irish’s Director of Rugby knows his side must take their chances if they are to stay in the top flight.

He commented: “Our defence was very good, but we know that we need to improve our attack as there was a dropped pass here and a checked pass there, which makes such a difference to the flow of your attack.

“We put on some good moves out there, but we’re not executing those moves well and it’s definitely an area that we’ll be working on.”

He continued: “Welford Road is a very difficult place to come and play your rugby against a top Leicester side.

“I’m very proud of the effort and if you’d said at the start of the season that we’d get a point here, then I would have said ok.

“However, the way that the game unfolded and the manner in which we went into the break just two points behind, makes me think that we could have got more than just a point.”

Irish dragged themselves into a position where victory was possible thanks to Alex Lewington’s brilliant finish late on – set up by his irrepresible fellow wing Joe Cokanasiga – but the visitors were again unable to dish out the fatal blow.

Kennedy said: “We were very competitive from start to finish and that was pleasing to see.

“The work rate of the boys was fantastic and there were just some key moments in the game where we switched off.

“We now have a break for Europe and the Anglo-Welsh Cup and we’ll work on our attack ready for the return of the Aviva Premiership.”