Topsy vows to write name into Irish folklore

Sportsdesk • Published 27 Oct 2012 09:00 0 Comments

LONDON Irish all-time leading try scorer Topsy Ojo is determined to cement his place in Exile history books by adding to his tally against Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins at Madejski Stadium this Sunday (2.15pm ko).

Crossing the whitewash twice against Mont de Marsan, Ojo surpassed Conor O'Shea's mark of 62 to set the record.

Ten years since he joined the club's academy as a 17-year-old, the winger admits he never envisaged his tenure with the Exiles would be so fruitful, particularly after spending his first few seasons at the wrong end of the table.

But having been excited by the calibre of players and coaches attracted by head coach Brian Smith, Ojo admits it has been an easy decision to stay loyal to the green and white.

"It was a very proud moment for me," said Ojo. "Passing Conor, who is such a legend, is a big honour and hopefully I can set the mark as high as possible.

"I've had a good time here and I'd like to kick on. You never really know when you are in the Academy where you might be in the future, but I love the club.

"The only aim you have is to get in the first team and as a winger to score as many tries as possible so when I knew I was closing in on the record it was an extra incentive.

"It has worked out for me. The best decision was to stay here and play a brand of rugby that suited me. I felt the coaches and players could take the club forward and since Brian Smith has come in the team has grown and grown."

After seeing off Northampton Saints in their last domestic outing Irish entertain Quins but, after two excellent European victories, Ojo insists confidence is high.

"It is great to be able to focus on ourselves after two great wins," he added. "We have to pay them respect because we know their backs can cause a lot of damage.

"But we have built up confidence that we know from our last Premiership game that if we control things and play our rugby we can give anyone a run for their money."

Aviva are proud to be title sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby - one of the world's leading rugby union competitions. Each season will feature 135 games, which will be watched by 1.7 million people live at the grounds and many more through our broadcast partners Sky, ITV and ESPN - visit www.premiershiprugby.com

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