Nick Kennedy lauds London Irish on their promotion to Aviva Premiership
Brendan McKibbin scored two tries in Wednesday's thrilling second leg
©PA
London Irish rugby director Nick Kennedy lavished praise on his side after their victories in the two-legged final against Yorkshire Carnegie in the RFU Championship that helped them secure a promotion to the Aviva Premiership.
A 29-18 victory for London Irish in Headingley followed by another 55-48 triumph at Madejski Stadium meant they had an aggregate of 84-66 over Yorkshire.
It was only in the last season, The Exiles were relegated from the top tier to the RFU Championship after 19 years but now will replace Bristol in the Aviva Premiership for the 2017/18 season. Despite the setback in the previous season, Kennedy said the team were never short of confidence.
"My overriding emotions are relief and happiness," said Kennedy, who was a player at the club when London Irish made the Premiership final back in 2009.
"We did make it hard work but Yorkshire came out swinging and scored more points here than any other team has.
"We're delighted to be back in the Premiership, which is where the club belongs.
"We expected them to come out like they did. They're very well-coached and we knew it would be tight.
"We wished it had been easy but we could never let up for 80 minutes.
"It was a big, big occasion and the pressure is always going to take its toll on certain aspects.
"It was extremely high stakes and everything bubbled over a little bit (front-rowers Charlie Beech and Ben Franks were sent off for punching each other)."
Yorkshire showed a lot of spirit in the second half as they amassed six tries and rugby director Bryan Redpath wants the team to take the positives to the next season.
"Over the season, and over the two legs, the best team won - it's as simple as that," said Redpath.
"We didn't execute under pressure and they executed better under pressure.
"That's what happens when there are little things that you take for granted from Monday to Friday - they bite you on the bum.
"Hopefully the boys will learn from the experience over the two legs and losing to a Premiership outfit."
