In this weeks edition of Carnegie Call Director of Rugby Stuart Lancaster looks ahead to his side's game against London Irish this Sunday at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 3pm.

How do you reflect on last week's game?
Whilst it was difficult conditions we certainly felt we could have executed better in the second half against Castres and thus given ourselves a more relaxing weekend! After a nervous couple of days we were delighted to make it through from a tough group into the last eight. The draw sees us return to Bath in two months time and an opportunity to take on one of the form sides in the competition. I have been asked several times about the potential "distraction" of the cup, to which my response is that when the time comes I don't know of any Sportsman or Woman who reaches a Quarter Final who can't see the potential excitement of a Cup Final, so I am sure if the time comes we will be looking forward to what will be a special occasion.  However the focus will always be on the next game and so our attention turns to Sunday's game against London Irish, where our execution will be an area we will have to get right.

How highly do you rate London Irish?
London Irish have accomplished a magnificent achievement in reaching the Quarter Finals of the European Cup and to do it with a home draw shows the type of form they are in. Under Brian Smith they play an exciting brand of rugby and Toby Booth, who is someone who has come through the Academy system as I did, has the forwards well organised and extremely competitive.  Also in there coaching team is Tony Stanger, who is a former Leeds player who I have worked closely with during my time as the Academy Manager and he is someone I have the highest regard for.

How important is this period of the season?
The game against London Irish this weekend signals the half way point in the League programme and also due to the scheduling of the fixtures and the Six Nations an opportunity to give the players a break next week.  Without doubt the defining point of the season will come during the next block of league games and it is absolutely vital that we continue to build on our improved form and stay together on and off the field so that we can ourselves get the best possible chance of success that everyone's hard work deserves. 

Have you made any changes to the side?
John Holtby will return to the side after impressing in training over the last couple of weeks and Jonny Hepworth gets an opportunity to start in the centre with Rob Vickerman only retuning to training late in the week following injury.  Similarly Adam Balding who has been out for a while will return to the bench. Stuart Hooper's shoulder injury has not responded as quickly as we hoped and we will use the next couple of weeks to get him right for the second half of the league programme that starts in February.