Mullen: Scottish must maintain intensity (From Kingston Guardian)

Mullen: Scottish must maintain intensity

10:51am Friday 23rd March 2012 in London Scottish

London Scottish newcomer Gerard Mullen has called for intensity going into the remainder of his side’s play-off campaign after a 23-20 home win against Moseley, writes Danny Butterwick.

The full back signed from neighbours London Welsh in January and has cemented his place in the squad with four tries in six games to help Scottish to the top of play-off group C.

And he was was in fine form at the weekend, scoring two converted tries to add to fly half Dan Mugford’s two penalties and a late James Brown drop goal that secured the vital win and points that will go a long way to helping Scottish stay in the league.

And the Irishman was well aware a win at Plymouth tonight would virtually guarantee safety.

He said: “Plymouth is a massive game and if we win that game we’ll be safe.

“We need to play at the same intensity against Plymouth that we showed in the Esher game.

“We know that if we win this game then we can take the pressure off ourselves going into the last three, we don’t want to be going into the last three needing a win.”

Mullen, 21, studies sports science at St Mary’s University in Twickenham and is part of a young Scottish side, something that has allowed the former Leinster academy youngster to make a comfortable transition into the squad.

“It’s great to have a couple of guys there the same age as myself and they’ve all been tremendous and made me very welcome both on and off the pitch,” he added.

“Obviously, I’m enjoying playing full time rugby, the goal was to get to the highest level, but I’m happy where I am at the moment and taking each game at a time and I’m just hoping to keep on playing and improving.”