London Irish star Shane Geraghty reveals his kicking secret: He kept James O’Connor's special tees

Shane Geraghty believes his increased kicking power is down to a special tee he ‘acquired’ when Wallaby James O’Connor left London Irish in the summer.

Geraghty showed his new ability against Harlequins on the opening day of the season when his penalty from six metres inside his own half hit the crossbar.

The Exiles fly-half honed his kicking during the off season after being told by the England coaches this was an area of his game he needed to improve if he was to add to his six caps. This season he has kicked seven penalties and two conversions with just two misses.

The arrival of former Ireland skills and kicking coach Mark Tainton at the club has helped Geraghty but it is the Monster Kicking Tee that has really made the difference. The frog-like piece of plastic was designed by former Springbok fly-half Braam van Straaten, who has worked as kicking guru to the Australian squad. It was in that role that Van Straaten met O’Connor - who is now at Toulon - and the full-back started using the tee.

Geraghty was impressed with the tools of O’Connor’s trade and decided to follow suit.

He said: “I managed to keep hold of one of James’s tees when he left and although it’s seen better days it does the job.

“With this tee you have the ball facing forward with increased lean towards the target and that means it is less likely to go where it isn’t supposed to head!

“It has been good to have Mark around to plan the sessions and look at my run up which needed to be adjusted.

“I’m enjoying the responsibility of the kicking and it was one area which the England coaches have mentioned.”