By GARY FITZGERALD

Looking up: London Irish scrum-half Nick Phipps is hungry for trophies
PICTURES: Getty Images

Boxing Day blip: Ali Crossdale scores as Wasps beat Irish

UNLIKE the needles on most Christmas trees by this stage of the festivities, London Irish have no intention of dropping off from the Premiership fight when the pressure intensifies.
On the contrary, the men in green are adamant they will grow and flourish as time goes on and hang around the top half of the table for considerably longer.
Nick Phipps certainly believes they will continue to be a real pain in the side of...