London Scottish back James Love feels Saturday’s 27-6 home win over Nottingham Rugby proves they can mix it with the Championship’s best, writes Andy Weston.
 

The Athletic Ground outfit were not at their best, but produced a devastating last quarter with Miles Mantella, pictured right, scoring a hat-trick of tries to get the win.
 

It was Love’s first start of the season and he hopes his performance means it will not be his last.
 

The full back-cum-winger said: “It was nice to get a first start. I had a pretty solid game and hopefully I can carry on and make a
difference.
 

“To get the win against a top four team last year is really good and shows we can compete in this league against top teams.
 

“We want the Athletic Ground to be a fortress and a hard place to come for
visiting teams and that was a perfect start.”
 

Tonight Scottish travel to Plymouth Albion Love’s former club, and the goal-kicker hopes to make it three league wins from four before British & Irish Cup break.
 

“They have a good crowd and are very
resiliant, but I believe we can go there and get the right result,” he added.
 

“We just need to make sure we are all switched on.
 

“They gave me my first shot in the Championship. It was quite far away from my family and friends in London. That was the main reason I left.”

Meanwhile, new Scottish backs coach Mike Friday says he has quickly settled into his role at the Championship club.

Friday took in last Saturday’s 27-6 win against Nottingham Rugby but started at Scottish in an official capacity on Monday.

“There has been a lot for the boys to take in but it has been a good week’s training,” he said.

“We have looked at a few different things on how we do things slightly differently in our attacking patterns. It is all part of the bigger
picture.”