LONDON Irish legend Topsy Ojo believes youngsters Tom Parton and Ben Loader can go all the way to the top after they again impressed in Exiles’ 72-5 thumping of Yorkshire Carnegie, writes Richard Ashton.

Ojo made a club record-equalling 290th appearance as his side made it six Greene King IPA Championship wins from six, with Parton bagging a brace to take his tally to four in five games this season.

And Ojo, 33, paid tribute to the former Oratory Prep School and Wellington College starlet, stating: “He’s been brilliant this season. Guys his age just need a run of games and the backing from everyone. You make the shirt your own and we’re really enjoying watching him do it. We’re expecting big things from him and he’s delivering, Ben Loader the same.”

He continued: “It’s a pleasure to work with them. Tom and Ben can go all the way, 100 per cent. They’re on that pathway, still young, with raw talent, still in the very early stages of their development in senior rugby, but if they keep progressing at the rate they have been, there’s no reason why they can’t go all the way.

“They’ve got the skill-set, the basics and the temperament, which is a big thing. There will be more tests, but they’re passing every one so far.”

Ojo admitted while it was disappointing for Irish to be playing in the second tier of English rugby this season, it could benefit the dynamic duo in the long term.

He commented: “The Championship is a great breeding ground for young, developing talent to come through and shine. They will get tested and there are so many players in the Premiership who have spent time either with their own clubs or on loan and it’s kick-started their careers. Hopefully those guys are treading the right path.”

Head coach Les Kiss was also impressed, adding: “They’re good guys and they deserve the credit which is coming their way.

“But we can’t just keep playing them till they get worn out, we have to manage them. We had similar experience with Jacob Stockdale (at Ulster), you have to measure how you expose them.”