In the first of his weekly columns for the Irish Times, London Irish captain Bob Casey recalls the build-up to one of the most extraordinary matches of his career.
"It was a tough week from a personal perspective, more so than I’d imagined. I’ve spent the last eight years at London Irish, three of them as captain, so there was no question of compromised loyalties, but I have never played against so many friends with so much at stake.
"In the build-up to last Friday night’s game I occasionally thought about what it would be like to go back and take on Leinster, but in an abstract way. Suddenly it wasn’t hypothetical any more and I found that difficult mentally. I had supported them, played for the province at various levels; it’s also where I am from, and obviously so too my friends and family.
"The first inclination of how emotive it was going to be was fulfilling the media duties during the week. The questions constantly directed me to recall memories and friendships from my time with Leinster. That had an affect, not in terms of softening my determination to ensure a London Irish victory but just in emotionally complicating the build-up."
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