James Marshall is keen to go head to head with fellow Kiwi Jimmy Gopperth this Sunday when London Irish take on Wasps.
Gopperth, 34, is a regular in Wasps’ backline after moving from Leinster in 2015 and is expected to feature at the weekend.
The versatile back scored a try in last season’s Premiership Final and London Irish will need to keep an eye on him according to Marshall.
“I’m a big Hurricanes fan and I remember watching him play for them as I was growing up,” said Marshall.
“He was very much in control of a backline that I used to look up to at the time, so to go up against him this weekend is pretty exciting.”
Marshall and Gopperth have made similar career moves. Like Gopperth, Marshall started in the Mitre 10 Cup before moving to Europe in 2010 when Aironi purchased him.
In his second season with the Exiles, Marshall wants to see his side progress under director of rugby Nick Kennedy.
“The results aren’t too far away for us and as soon as something clicks I think we’ll get a roll on and build some momentum,” said Marshall.
“At the moment we’re learning a lot of lessons and hopefully we can keep improving our game week to week. Nick Kennedy has been great in ensuring that there is a positive environment at the training ground and his influence has kept spirits high in the changing room.”
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