Watch out, London Irish Topsy Ojo warns Chris Ashton

Topsy Ojo said he had unfinished business with England as he warned wing rival Chris Ashton: “I’m after your place!”
Four years have elapsed since Ojo announced himself on the England stage by scoring two tries on debut in a losing cause against New Zealand in Auckland.
He was twice capped on that 2008 tour, but injuries hampered his progress and the likes of Ashton and Matt Banahan moved ahead in the pecking order.
But Tottenham-born Ojo has rediscovered his zest and considers Brian Smith’s return to London Irish as director of rugby to be good news for his cause.
“I was disappointed things didn’t really move on for me after I was capped, but I had time out with injuries and others jumped in,” Ojo, 27, told The Rugby Paper.
“The last two years have been pretty frustrating at Irish as well, with us being in good positions at Christmas but then falling away.
“But I’m hoping for a really big year at Irish now.  We had a lot of people leaving last season, which I guess didn’t help, but you can’t dwell on it because it’s a new chapter and a fresh challenge.
“I got capped during the time Smithy was first at Irish, when we reached finals and Heineken Cup semi-finals, so it would be nice to repeat that.
“It would do great things for me and London Irish, and I feel I could get back into the reckoning with England.
“We all know Chris Ashton’s a quality player and he proved going into this summer’s tour that he’s still England’s No.1 winger.
“But I’ve still got gas and it’s up to me and the rest of the guys challenging to really put him under pressure and show we’re worthy of a shout.”
Smith has promised that Irish will not die wondering this season, with a return to the swashbuckling style of the mid-Noughties on the cards.
Ojo said: “We’ve got quality scrum-halves now in Tomas O’Leary and Darren Allinson, who like to get the ball away from the break down quickly.
“That’s going to be our style right the way through the season, so I’ll be looking to take full advantage of that and score more tries.”
NEALE HARVEY