LONDON Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney believes Topsy Ojo is an 'inspiration to all players' after the wing signed off at Madejski Stadium in Saturday's 33-12 Greene King IPA Championship victory against Ealing Trailfinders.

Exiles all-time leading try scorer and the most capped player in the club's history was unable to score a try on his last home appearance, but was still cheered throughout the game before thanking the fans for their support during his 16-year stay with Irish.

And Kidney lauded the former England man, stating: "For anybody to get 300 plus caps for their club and to stay with one club makes him an inspiration to all the players.

"What he's done may very well be unique in the professional game and it will be a long time to come before we see anybody get to that level of caps.

"It shows you don't have to move clubs to fulfil all your ambitions or your potential."

Kidney said Exiles will also miss Ojo's influence off the field, having helped nurture many young players during his time with the club.

He said: "I can't speak highly enough of Topsy in what he's done to mentor our back three players – the likes of Ben Loader, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Alvireti (Veitokani) – when he came he was so welcoming – and that gives them the confidence to play at the level they have done."

London Irish will aim to complete the double when they travel to league runners-up Ealing in the final of the RFU Championship Cup this coming Saturday.