Hard grind needed for Exiles' success

Printed above the door to the weights room at London Irish’s Sunbury training ground are the words: ‘Earn the Right’, and Toby Booth, his players and his staff know it is only hard work which will reap any rewards this season.

The Exiles kick off their Premiership campaign against Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday, but training for the season began on June 15 with players returning to get physically primed for the season ahead.

“We are looking to increase the physical levels of the previous season and are always trying to take a step up,” Irish’s Head of Strength and Conditioning Allan Ryan noted as the key aims for pre-season. “It is important to try and make sure the players get through injury free and are prepared for the season ahead.”

Manchester City’s second-rate millionaires will not bring medals

An awful lot has been made about Manchester City and Sheik Al-Mansur’s Middle Eastern millions, but the fundamental flaw is the calibre of player they are bringing in.

Criticism has been levelled at a number of clubs in the Premier League for favouring the import of cheaper, foreign talent at the detriment to home grown kids - not least Manchester City. This summer alone they have welcomed through the doors Aleksander Kolarov, Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli and James Milner at a huge expense, though it is the capture of David Silva which highlights their failings.

Three to push for World Cup stardom

With the World Cup just over a year away players across the planet are looking to the coming season as an opportunity to secure, or in some instances snatch last minute tickets to New Zealand.

Martin Johnson, Warren Gatland and company will hope to go into the Autumn Internationals with a settled squad - the majority of which will form the core of their party to launch their challenge to be World Champions.

But changes are inevitably with injury and loss of form, and three players who will hope to capitalise and wrestle their way to the top are featured after the jump – Dave Attwood, Jason Tovey and Jon Clarke.