Toby's jolly green giants

Uncertainty and disquiet may reign in west London, but there is decidedly more stability a few miles along the M4 in Reading, where Toby Booth has been busy overseeing a quiet revolution.

The fact that London Irish head into tomorrow's top-of-the table clash with West Country giants Gloucester as narrow favourites is testament to how far the club have come.

Booth, who made the step up from assistant to head coach in the summer after Brian Smith answered England's call, has been instrumental in turning Irish from Premiership also-rans into genuine contenders.

His blend of straight talking, innovative thinking and meticulous preparation has struck a chord with his players.

Nick Kennedy, Topsy Ojo and Paul Hodgson, three players to gain international recognition on Booth's watch, clearly think that Berkshire is the place to be after agreeing three-year deals on Monday that will keep them at the club until 2012.

A win tomorrow would see Irish, who also top their pool in the European Challenge Cup, claim their 10th win on the bounce and consolidate their place at the top of the Guinness Premiership as they enter the festive period.

But while Booth accepts progress has been made, the 39-year-old former Blackheath captain has not got where he is today by resting on his laurels.

"We have proved that we can compete at this level," he said. "On some days you are good enough and on others you are not. And if you are consistently good enough you will put yourself in with a better chance of winning silverware.

"I think consistently we are a better side now than we have been. We've played very well in some games and won them, and played not so well in some games but still won. That is a good thing to see from a side.

"To beat Gloucester you have to be at your absolute best. I think we've got a good chance."

There was a time when playing for England and London Irish simply did not go together. But all that has changed, as Delon Armitage's outstanding displays in an otherwise disastrous autumn for England proved.

Winger Ojo and scrum- half Hodgson have both slipped off Martin Johnson's radar in recent months but backs coach Mike Catt believes it is a matter of time before they force their way back.

"Topsy has been tremendous again for us this season," Catt said. "There is a very good chance if he carries on performing then Englandvwill have to pick him with Delon Armitage. They combine very well together.

"Paul Hodgson is knocking on the door because they need a nine who can control the game."

Although Ojo may not have been quite as prolific as last season, he still has four tries to sit joint top of the Premiership scoring list. "The key for me has been consistency and I have been really happy with my form," he said.

"The coaches here have supported me fully. They have worked with me on all the extra skills. You need to make sure every detail is as sharp as possible."

Two wins over a combative, if ineffective, Dax outfit in the space of a fortnight left the Exiles nursing a few bruises, but Booth is optimistic that the likes of Armitage and Shane Geraghty will have recovered in time.

He said: "Training [on Monday] was like a retreat from Moscow. A few people were hobbling around, watching from the sidelines. But I'm confident we will have a strong squad to choose from."

Gloucester's preparations have been badly disrupted by a stomach bug that has swept through the squad and laid low key players Ryan Lamb, Olly Barkley and Mike Tindall.

All three are expected to be fit for tomorrow's encounter at the Madejski Stadium, and head coach Dean Ryan, who has been linked this week with a return to his former club Wasps, is wary of the threat Irish will pose.

"Facing London Irish is a big game these days," said Ryan.

Winger Lesley Vainikolo is expected to feature despite being charged yesterday with grievous bodily harm following an incident outside a Bath nightclub in October.