The learning's over, it's time to win trophies insists Bob Casey

London Irish captain Bob Casey has challenged his team-mates to shed their nearly-men tag in tomorrow night's crucial Cup clash against Leinster.

In recent years, Irish have threatened to join European rugby's top table - they are a permanent fixture in the Premiership top four and were Heineken Cup semi-finalists in 2008 - but Powergen Cup success in 2002 remains their only major silverware.

Casey wants to see his team come of age against his former club, who the Exiles beat away from home in the opening match in the pool.

"We can't just say, 'We are learning, we are learning'. That has to stop," said the lock.

"There's only so long you can talk about experience. We have built this team for the last two years and we won't be around forever.

"We know the highs after the win against them in Dublin and we know what we can do when we're on song. That's as good as it can be and there's no reason why we can't recreate that."

Coach Toby Booth added: "We've had a steady progression but it's always easier if you are hiding under the radar, when people don't see you coming.

"For us to fulfil our potential, which we believe is huge on and off the pitch, you have to make that transition from happy underdog to expectant favourite. That's a difficult thing to do. It's done by achievement, breaking the seal and continuing backing that up."