FRANCO van der Merwe is relishing the chance to play in front of a packed Madejski Stadium when London Irish RFC host Gloucester in Saturday’s annual St Patrick’s Party (3pm ko).

The Exiles always dedicate celebrate St Patrick’s Day on the closest home fixture to March 17, and this year it is Gloucester’s turn to experience the party atmosphere at the stadium.

But for Irish there is also the more serious business of securing their Aviva Premiership status to focus their minds.

Exiles have won just two of their 17 league fixtures this season and face a Gloucester side hoping to finish in the top four.

Van der Merwe, who will be playing in his first St Patrick’s Party fixture said: “I’ve seen the marketing material in the build-up to the game and it has certainly heightened my excitement for the match.

“We’ve had a good training week despite the very cold conditions, and we’re all looking forward to the challenge of going up against a strong Gloucester side.

“They are playing an attractive brand of rugby under Johan Ackermann, so we’re expecting a very tough game and we’ll have to be at our very best from the word go.

“Like us, they have a lot to play for, having got themselves into the top six with some important games coming up.”

Irish appointed former Ireland Grand Slam winning coach Declan Kidney last week in a bid to halt their slide into the Championship.

Kidney brought former defence coach Les Kiss with him as new head coach.

As a result, former director of rugby Nick Kennedy quit his post yesterday after Brendan Venter was also released by the Exiles last week.

London Irish remain rooted to the bottom of the table and 12 points behind Worcester Warriors above them.

Kennedy’s men did beat Worcester 22-9 in their last home game, but then lost 24-16 at second-placed Wasps before a three-week break in fixtures.

Exiles were also thrashed 39-15 at Gloucester in December, and Van der Merwe accepts performances must improve from here on in.

“We showed a lot of character against Wasps and ultimately I’m really proud of the way in which we’ve performed lately,” said the 35-year-old South African.

“The win against Worcester just shows the quality and character that we have in the team and we’ll be looking to play each game like it’s a play-off between now and the end of the season.”

Van der Merwe, who has been capped by the Springboks, will play a leading role this Saturday when his leadership skills will be put to the test again.

“I’m proud to be captaining this side and it helps having other senior heads to assist with the leadership and decision-making too,” he explained.

“The passion shown by the team in our last outing at Wasps was incredible and I’m honoured to be captaining this team in the Aviva Premiership, especially London Irish which has such a rich history.”