Since joining the Irish academy in 2003, Ojo, 28, has experienced plenty of highs and lows at Sunbury.

In recent years it has been more lows than highs as Irish have struggled to compete for silverware and have found themselves in the bottom half of the Premiership table.

However, they have shown signs of a recovery during the current campaign and hopes are high that they will improve even more next season under new ownership and with some strong signings already announced.

Ojo acknowledges that expectations will be increased in the 2014/15 campaign as they look to again compete towards the top of the table.

“We need to have a big season, the last two years have not gone how we would want but it’s about looking forward now,” he said.

“I think it is a pivotal season, with the new owners, the players that have joined, there will be more expectations.

“With the players coming in and the players that have re-signed, the club will be in good shape for next season and it’s important for us to hit the ground running in pre-season.” But Ojo is not yet looking past the five remaining games this season, adding: “If we go into the final five games with the attitude that there’s nothing to play for then we may as well not turn up, it’s all about finishing the season strongly.

“We have done really good work this season and it’s important we finish in a good place.” Following Declan Danaher’s announcement last week that he is retiring from rugby, Ojo is now the longest serving player at the club.

He has made 210 appearances - 65 behind Danaher - and hopes to push on and break the record of 280 held by Justin Bishop.

“I would hope to reach his total, I’m on 210 at the moment and I have another three years on my contract so hopefully I will be able surpass the record,” he said.

“It’s always a shame when you see a long-serving player retire but Declan has had a fantastic career and it’s great that he is going to be staying on at the club and helping the younger players.

“It’s important that we carry on his legacy, he is the most hard working guy you could have around and hopefully we can continue that.”