Chance to have controlling interest lured Shane Geraghty back to Irish

Fly-half Shane Geraghty has relished the link-up with Brian Smith and says the opportunity to be the fulcrum in London Irish‘s new-look backline was enough to lure him back across the Channel.
After a three-year exile from the club, two playing for Northampton before switching to the Top 14 with Brive, Geraghty has returned more mature and, according to captain Declan Danaher, ready to light up the Premiership.
Danaher said: “He has played well during pre-season. He’s got the chips and the kicks and can play some tidy football. Let’s not forget that at one point he burst onto the scene and was setting up tries for England. He was the next big thing and it’s great to have him back.”
Geraghty broke through in 2006 with his attacking prowess but his ability to control the game let him down.
However, he is keen to show how much he matured while at Saints and Brive.
He said: “Playing the attacking game London Irish is famous for was one of the mains reasons I came back.
“Another reason was to get some recognition and get back in the England frame. I’m a bit older now so, hopefully, I can cut out the mistakes. Brive needed a controlling fly-half so I improved on that aspect.
“Watching the Olympics was very inspiring. These guys trained so hard to be on the top of their game and I want to be at the top of mine.”
New defence coach Shaun Edwards also believes the London Irish attack will be key. He told The Rugby Paper:  “We want to reduce the points we concede to under 15 points a game because we think we have the attacking abilities to cover that deficit and still win games regularly.
“London Irish had some brilliant performances in defence last year but being consistent is the tough task.”
NICOLAS VERDIER