London Irish beat Harlequins to reach the Guinness Premiership final

The Guinness Premiership Final takes places this weekend at Twickenham with Leicester Tigers taking on London Irish, who beat Harlequins 17-0 in the other semi final on Saturday.

It was a fierce contest that bizarrely stood deadlocked at 0-0 going into halftime after six missed penalties, but it was London Irish who got on the board shortly afterwards when Delon Armitage kicked them into the lead.

Substitute James Hudson crossed to put the Exiles in control, and when Mike Catt intercepted late in the game, the contest was effectively over.

Catt, the 37 year old South African born former England back, is now having his name mentioned in Lions circles, as Ian McGeechan is yet to name a replacement for the injured Tom Shanklin.

After the performance he put in on Saturday, London Irish coach Toby Booth has said that Catt should be packing his bags for his former homeland.

"Mike Catt was absolutely outstanding. He should be going with the Lions," said Booth.

"From what you saw against Harlequins at the weekend, find me someone whos better. I cant speak highly enough of him. The irony is he spent two days in bed with flu. We still started him because we know how important he is to controlling things.

"Catty has a fantastic appetite - people dream about being able to do what he does at 37. Hes a credit to himself, his family and London Irish."

If Mike Catt does go on tour with the British & Irish Lions, he will overtake Neil Back's record as the oldest Lion. Experience will be vital on tour, so should he go, or is he past it already?


Time: 06:22