London Irish guaranteed their Allied Dunbar Premiership One future with a resounding victory over gritty Rotherham at Sunbury yesterday.
An Irish side packed with internationals made their quality tell as they steadily built on their slender three-point lead from the first leg to run out 15-point aggregate victors.
Not surprisingly, the passion of both sides was never in doubt and the early exchanges were littered with penalties as the intense commitment boiled over.
The difference between the two sides was Niall Woods, whose punishing kicking gave Irish a 127 half-time lead, although Rotherham entertained the neutrals with some delightful rugby as they cut the overall gap to one point at one stage.
Scintillating scrum-half Guy Easterby made a 35-yard break in the 26th minute before slipping a pass to Martin Dawson, and he in turn found the supporting Ben Wade.
Winger Dean Lax, the first-leg try scorer, easily added to his tally as he took a pass from Wade which allowed him to step over the line for a 7-5 lead.
But the half-time break proved telling as the exiles came out determined to add tries to the kicks they had sunk in the first-half, with the pack leading from the front.
Two minutes after the interval they had pushed to within three yards of goal and this set up Justin Bishop from close range.
The home side's superior fitness then proved telling on the hour as ever present back-row support from Kieron Dawson and Samoan mountain Isaac Seaunati provided regular overlaps.
A flowing move saw a below-par Niall Hogan - his poor handling letting him down on several occasions - cross over unopposed two yards from the line.
A late consolation try from Gregg Austin in the final minute was not enough to prevent Rotherham from slumping to their fourth defeat this season against Irish and so failing to reach Premiership One.
Defeated Rotherham coaching consultant John Phillips said: "We had a four-week hole in our preparation prior to the match. It was ludicrous. The RFU couldn't even work out who was involved. It's completely the fault of the system.
"The Irish won because their build-up was a good deal better."
Both coaches are in contractual negotiation with their clubs. The Exiles' Dick Best explained: "All being well, I'll stay. I've enjoyed it immensely here - there is such a great support team."
New Zealander Phillips, whose rugby coaching consultancy firm deals with half a dozen clubs, said: "I'd very much like to stay with Rotherham. We have the finances and we're in a very good position to challenge next season."
Brian Ashton, the former Bath and Ireland coach, will join the England coaching staff for the side's summer tour to the southern hemisphere. When he returns home, the 51-year-old Ashton will take charge of coaching the England under-18, under-19 and under-21 squads on a full-time basis.
Ashton, who resigned as Ireland coach in February after their defeat by Scotland, said: "I'm very pleased to be joining England. I enjoyed working with Clive Woodward (the England coach) at Bath and the chance to be involved in the tour and to help young players is a great opportunity."
Ashton was a coach on England's last tour to New Zealand in 1985. He will be involved in preparing the team for two Tests against the All Blacks and one apiece against Australia and South Africa.
Woodward said: "Brian is an excellent addition to our team and I look forward to working with him again."
