Everitt gets his kicks

Barry Everitt's flawless goal kicking sends London Irish into the third week of the Zurich Premiership holding second place - and could also push the 25-yearold fly-half towards a first cap for Ireland.

Everitt measures his start to the season by the quality of the pitches he has played on so far, and rates highly the new £350,000 surface at Reading's Madejski Stadium where the Irish began their new seven-year deal at the ground with a 42-14 win over Leeds.

Everitt said: "I have been lucky to start on two pitches with short grass, Harlequins and Madejski, and that has helped me. I am not so sure I would be doing so well on a muddy pitch."

Everitt has not missed a kick at goal - 22 points against Quins and 27 against Leeds.

Everitt has already played for Ireland A but could make the jump to the national side on his current form.

He said: "I am pleased that the Ireland coach Warren Gatland has already watched London Irish. All I can do is play well for the club."

"Our next match is at Bristol and that is a huge ask for us," says Irish captain Conor O'Shea. "It just gets harder and harder from here but it is nice to have two wins out of two."

Leicester saw off Wasps 45-15 with the London club adding to their problems with a knee injury to hooker Dugald Macer.

That means Wasps have five forwards likely to be missing for several weeks, a major problem with league leaders Sale due at Loftus Road next Sunday.

Quins, whose next match is at Newcastle, crashed 38-32 to Bristol while Saracens pulled off their first win by 34-30 against Gloucester. Australia's double World Cupwinning centre Tim Horan scored a try, but nine penalties by South African fly-half Luke Smith anchored Saracens' win.