Young Gun: Conor Gaston – London Irish wing

Known over the years as the Not-Nots – not London, not Irish – the Exiles are going back to their roots this season and ex-Ulster flyer Conor Gaston is the latest thoroughbred to make his mark at the Madejski.
When Irish hosted Munster in the Heineken Cup two years ago, the Exiles fielded just one Irishman in their ranks but these days Tomas O’Leary and Ian Humphreys give the side an Emerald core, supported by Brian Blaney and James Sandford.
Gaston, 22, is the next off the rank, having decided the lure of London’s bright lights were too good to turn down – especially with Ulster boasting the likes of Jared Payne, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble in a formidable back three.
Limited to A League appearances until last weekend, Gaston impressed on the wing in Irish’s LV=Cup win over Sale alongside 18-year-old full-back Anthony Watson and Topsy Ojo – both of whom have come through the academy.
And Gaston admits it was a visit to the Exiles’ old HQ in Sunbury as a boy that convinced him to cross the Irish Sea – especially with Humphreys around to advise on the nearest greasy spoon.
“Coming from a little town in Northern Ireland, it’s been a bit of a change – we’re based in Sunbury  only a few miles from London which is pretty different,” said Gaston.
“But being in Ireland you don’t get many chances to come to England and I thought it was an opportunity worth taking.
“I remember coming over and playing in a mini-rugby competition when I was just a kid, about ten or 11, down at Sunbury and I always looked back on that with fond memories and that made the choice to come to Irish a lot easier.
“It was tough at Ulster as well, if you look to last season, Craig Gilroy was probably their best player and now he can’t get a game because they’ve got so much strength in depth.
“Having James and especially Ian, who arrived at the same time as me was great though – it always helps settling in.
“The lads who had been here a bit longer have been great in showing me the sights and Ian’s already shown me where the best fry-up is!”
Under Brian Smith, Irish have proved that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
As well as Ojo and Watson, Tom Homer, Jonathan Joseph and the Armitage clan have all progressed through the Irish ranks, giving Gaston optimism he will get plenty of first-team chances.
“The dream for this season is to get a bit of Premiership action,” he added. “Irish have proven that it’s a good place for young boys to come and get a chance.
“Anthony Watson’s just finished school and he’s playing in the first team.
“It means there will be chances but it also means there’s a lot of competition and that’s just been added to with Jonathan Joseph coming back from the England squad, but that makes you work harder.