CLARK Laidlaw paid tribute to the culture London Irish are creating after 19-year- old Jacob Atkins steered his side to a 37-14 British & Irish Cup quarter final victory with a man-of- the-match display against Yorkshire Carnegie, writes Richard Ashton.

The former Forest School student pulled the strings at fly half as Exiles made it 22 wins from 23 games in all competitions this season, continuing the magnificent form he has shown for loan club Redingensians Rams.

Laidlaw told the Chronicle: “Jacob is an example of how important the loan system is. He’s had four man-of- the-matches in a row and young players need to play rugby. They can’t just train and become better at playing games. Jacob’s a prime example of someone who trains with us every day, he’s got as good a work ethic as anyone I’ve ever coached and a huge appetite to get better. He was outstanding.”

Atkins was joined by fellow Academy graduates Harry Elrington, Ross Neal and Matt Williams in the starting XV, with Rory Brand coming on in the second half.

And Laidlaw said they showed their class in reaching the semi finals.

He said: “Our younger players are confident and it’s a tribute to the way Nick Kennedy and Brendan Venter have set up the environment that they all contribute. Rotation has helped that. It speaks volumes for the culture the club is trying to create, but if you’re a young fly half you have to dominate. Jacob’s a good example of if we keep chipping away with these young guys, where they can get to.

“It’s like having your kids. When they’re a bit older you let them get on with their own lives, but when they’re younger you have to nurse them along. That’s why it was so pleasing, the solutions we talked about at half-time and seeing guys like Jacob, Ross, Matt, Harry and Rory coming on, they found the solutions and took the opportunities we saw. That really pleases you as a coach with a young team.”

The experienced Topsy Ojo, who added to his tally as the club’s all-time top try-scorer with his 78th, was equally gushing. He commented: “It’s brilliant to see the young guys play so well and it fills you with confidence for the future.

“It was a real credit to all of them.”