Exiles' Tomas O'Leary finds it hard going against Worcester © PA Photos

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London Irish scrum-half Tomas O'Leary insists "there is no point panicking" despite seeing his side slump to four defeats in their opening five matches.

In the first three games of this season London Irish shipped 123 points - a far cry from the high standards that part-time Exiles coach Shaun Edwards has set in the past with regards to establishing water-tight defensive structures. And supporters of London Irish would have hoped that their Round 4 win over Bath at the Madejski Stadium could provoke a change in their fortunes.

But they let through four tries against Worcester at the weekend which contributed to a 35-11 loss. O'Leary switched from Irish giants Munster ahead of this season, and he is adamant that the side - a team full of new recruits - will improve.

"It's a long old season and there is no point panicking just yet," O'Leary told BBC Radio Berkshire. "If it does keep going the same way then fair enough. But I think as a team we will turn it around and hopefully we can give the supporters something to cheer about.

"You don't envisage losing three or four games at the start but I knew it was going to be a tough challenge and I guess that's what I signed up for. It's testing time for everyone, no-one likes to be in this position."

And London Irish boss Brian Smith has echoed O'Leary's optimism and conceded that while it was a poor start to the season, it was a process that, in his mind, the team has to experience if they are to improve.

"This is the journey we have to take and we have to come through it and I am sure we will," Smith said. "The most important thing is to focus on the things you can control and if you do that then we will be alright.

"It's a great test of character when you are going through adversity. They are frustrated and desperate for a result and I am sure they will play their hearts out this weekend."