Confidence Is The Key

"The biggest factor we must come to terms with is retaining our confidence.

"When you are winning week in week out, the pivotal moments in matches go your way, when you lose they go to the opposition," said O'Shea.

Irish broke a four-game losing spell last weekend as they overcame Edinburgh 24-8 at a rain lashed Madjeski Stadium.

And the performance was just what the doctor ordered to reinstill confidence in an Irish side who had come under heavy criticism since they lifted the Powergen Cup last May.

But Irish have shown a new resilience of late - making their defeat to Toulouse in Round 1 particularly disappointing, as Conor explains...

"Against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup we had that physicality back,

" The secret is to have that every game and wait for the spark to ignite our team.

And for long periods of the game Irish displayed the physical qualities O'Shea has been looking for. But, despite a Nick Burrows try, two Barry Everitt dropped goals and four Everitt penalty goals, Irish were unable to hold Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon, going down 28-23.

But last week's victory over Edinburgh has filled O'Shea with fresh hope that Irish can progress in Europe's elite tournament.

"The fact remains that if we play to our best, everything else will follow.

London Irish resume their Heineken Cup campaign in Round 3 with a trip to Newport.