Well, that's a relief.
Could you imagine the fucking balls-up we'd have had on our hands if London-bound Sean O'Brien was mired in the Championship by the time his London Irish bow came around in the autumn?
Thankfully, the big Carlow man need not fear - his future teammates allayed all concerns this afternoon with a comprehensive tanking of bottom side Richmond to secure their safe return to English rugby's top-flight at the first time of asking.
We're back @premrugby 👊☘️ pic.twitter.com/3VTJ34e6c3
— London Irish (@londonirish) April 19, 2019
Ok, so picking up 19 wins from 21 matches never really looked anything but Championship winning form for The Exiles. However, such has been the form of second-placed Ealing Trailfinders this year, that when Jesse Liston crossed for the amateurs inside the opening five minutes, hearts were momentarily perhaps in Irish mouths that a winner-takes-all title-decider at home to their nearest opponents next weekend may well be in the offing.
But just for a moment.
The Exiles would run in four tries before the sides would go in at the break with Ian Keatley kicking two conversions to put the away side firmly in control, before Samoan back row TJ Ioane grabbed two of five tries in the second half as Irish ran out comfortable 46-7 winners.
With promotion now secured, the attention of Director of Rugby Declan Kidney and Head Coach Les Kiss can now turn to strengthen the squad in the off-season.
Joining O'Brien at the Madjeski Stadium next year we know for sure will be Aussie scrum-half Nick Phipps but others too are expected to sign, including New Zealand winger Waisake Naholo.
O'Brien can rest easy now ahead of his own pivotal game this weekend in the blue of Leinster. The 32-year-old will line up at openside flanker for Leo Cullen's side in Sunday's European Champions Cup semi-final with Toulouse at the Aviva. O'Brien was part of the Leinster squads to claim European glory in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
