ASSISTANT coach Clark Laidlaw believes London Irish are on the right track following their important 20-13 victory against Worcester Warriors, writes Richard Ashton.

Sunday’s success at Madejski Stadium lifted Exiles above Newcastle Falcons at the foot of the Aviva Premiership table, and left them just one point behind their opponents.

And Laidlaw said: “It’s three (league) wins in a row at home and apart from against Sale last week – when we were really disappointed with the way we played – the last six weeks have been pretty encouraging.

“We’ve still got 11 games to go and we’re not too interested in looking at the table too much. We need to try and keep winning and if you get three or four in a row you can get into the top six – it’s very tight.”

Despite dominating the opening hour, Laidlaw said he was not too disappointed not to secure a try bonus-point.

He admitted: “We had opportunities in the first half although I’d have taken the win at the start of the day. 

“We left a few tries out there but we might need those tries another day so we’ll save them up. From an attack perspective it was one of our more pleasing days, but we’ll have to understand why we created chances but didn’t finish them.

“I never thought it was going to be easy and when it’s a tight game like that you’re never sure if a team is going to be able to pull away.”

The Scotsman reserved praise for his forwards, who largely bossed what was a physical encounter.

He said: “I thought (prop) Halani (Aulika) was possibly the best player. He’s had to step up with Ben Franks getting injured and I thought he had his best game of the season.

“David Paice got around the track well and Matt Symons is a quality player whose added a huge amount to the club and to the team.”

The injury-hit Exiles travel to Northampton Saints on Saturday (3pm) and Laidlaw warned his side the hosts will be after revenge following London Irish’s 25-23 Boxing Day win.

He commented: “We’ve got Northampton following a six-day turnaround so that’s pretty tough on the body. We’ve got 15 guys on the injured list so the same guys are going to have to suit up.

“Northampton will be fired up after getting turned over by us and we’re under no illusions it will be a tough ask.”