LONDON Irish stalwart David Paice has urged the club’s supporters to play a key role in helping the unbeaten Greene King IPA Championship leaders to clinch promotion.

Exiles are guaranteed a play-off spot with six league games remaining – having won all 14 of their matches in the competition to date – and return to action after a three-week break at home to London Scottish on Saturday (3pm).

And ex-England international Paice has paid tribute to Irish fans in the build-up.

He said: “The supporters have been absolutely fantastic this season both home and away, and it makes such a difference to have superb backing in the stands.

“We want to repay them for their support with a strong performance this weekend. The lads are itching to get back out on to the pitch.”

The 33-year-old was on the scoresheet as Exiles hammered Scottish 62-12 away in September, and the squad has since been boosted by the arrival of Tongan international back-rower Tevita Koloamatangi last week.

However, Paice is expecting a reaction from their opponents.

He revealed: “Training has been excellent of late and the addition of Tevita has really freshened things up.

“There is a real buzz around the training ground at the moment and the aim for us is to keep it that way by continuing the form that has served us well so far this season.

“But 14 wins out of 14 in the league hasn’t come easily and we’ve had to work extremely hard to put together this sequence of results.

“The Championship is such a physically demanding competition and it’s important we remain focused on one game at a time between now and the end of the season.

“London Scottish will be keen to avenge the defeat, so we will have to be fully prepared for the inevitable reaction.”