Rugby coach reveals stag night inspiration

Late-night phone calls from stag do revellers might usually be taken with a pinch of a salt, but for one rugby coach such messages proved to be an inspiration.

Toby Booth may have watched his London Irish side narrowly lose out to Leicester Tigers in the race for the Guinness Premiership trophy, but he has been lauded for his achievements since taking the helm.

The 38-year-old has helped turn the club around over the past year, despite having to operate on a tight budget and with a smaller professional staff than many other teams.

However, he told the Independent that things may have been a lot different had it not been for the late-night phone calls he received from stag partying players while he was considering the job offer.

Booth said: "They kept telling me: 'Toby, it has to be you.'"

"After listening to them, I realised I had the support I needed to go ahead and do it."

Despite being considered the underdogs for the tie, London Irish still ran Leicester close in the showpiece final Twickenham, before eventually succumbing 10-9.