Scott Lawson: Gloucester a defining result for London Irish

Scott Lawson believes last month?s impressive 18-12 win over his former club Gloucester provided the spark for London Irish?s upturn in form.

The Scotland international hooker suffered mixed fortunes on his return to Kingsholm, injuring an ankle as Exiles won for the first time in four meetings between the clubs.

But after missing his country?s opening two Six Nations games and his club?s final two group games in both the Amlin Cup and LV= Cup, he returned to action last Saturday as Irish beat Saracens 29-16 at Madejski Stadium in the Aviva Premiership.

He said: ?It was a big one to come back for and we got a good result.?

Lawson, though, has no doubts about where the foundations were laid for a run that has seen Irish start the new year with five wins in six matches.

?Gloucester was a defining result and performance,? he continued. ?We said that it was a new year and we wanted to draw a line in the sand and go forward.

?We got a result that no-one thought we would get and we have used that as the catalyst to kick on. And since then that?s what we have based our performances on.?

Lawson, who switched between clubs last summer, said: ?I wanted to go back and give a good account of myself. It was a good day considering our league position and everything that was at stake.?

Irish field an unchanged team when they visit Bath tomorrow, seeking a third straight win in the Premiership and Lawson said: ?The performance comes from having the mental strength to go away. It is a good test of character.?

Jon Fisher is named as a replacement after recovering from a forearm injury.

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith said: ?We enjoyed a good win last weekend but tomorrow is another match. It'll be a good arm-wrestle and we'll have to meet the challenge head on.?

London Irish team to face Bath:

15. Tom Homer; 14. Topsy Ojo; 13. Guy Armitage; 12. Shane Geraghty; 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Pat Phibbs; 1. Max Lahiff; 2. Scott Lawson; 3. Halani Aulika; 4. George Skivington; 5. Bryn Evans (Captain); 6. Matt Garvey; 7. Jebb Sinclair; 8. Chris Hala?ufia

Replacements: 16. Mike Mayhew; 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa; 18.Leo Halavatau; 19.Jamie Gibson; 20. Ofisa Treviranus; 21. Jon Fisher; 22. Steven Shingler; 23. Jack Moates

Source: http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby/london_irish/s/2129092_scott_lawson_gloucester_a_defining_result_for_london_irish

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