London Irish
Founded:
1898
Years in Top
Tier: 20
Last Year: 9th
in Prem (35 Points), Group Stage in Amlin Challenge Cup & Anglo-Welsh Cup
Europe:
Amlin Challenge Cup
Director of
Rugby: Brian Smith
Transfers:
In: Blair
Cowen (Worcester), Andrew Fenby (Llanelli Scarlets), Jamie Hagan (Leinster),
Eamonn Sheridan (Rotherham), Fergus Mulchrone (Rotherham), Mike Mayhew
(Newcastle), Myles Dorrian (Exeter), Matt Parr (Nottingham), Nic Rouse
(Nottingham), Jonny Harris (Leicester), Jimmy Stevens (Leicester), Alex
Lewington (Leicester), Sean O’Connell (Ulster), John Quill (Dolphin-Ireland)
Out: Alex
Corbiseiro (Northampton), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Matt Garvey (Bath), Jamie
Gibson (Leicester), Steve Shingler
(Llanelli), Max Lahiff (Melbourne Rebels), Anthony Watson (Bath), Scott Lawson
(Newcastle), Dave Sisi (Bath), Jack Moates (Wasps), Alex Gray (England 7s), Conor
Gaston (Aurillac), Jerry Yanuyanutawa (Glasgow), James Sandford (Cornish
Pirates), Joe Ansbro (Retiring), Cai Griffiths (London Welsh)
Ins: 14
Outs: 16
London Irish have been in the top tier for the past 18
seasons but that stay looks to be under threat with Irish in free fall for much
of last season, players leaving in their droves and nasty rumours surrounding
player’s medical care doing the rounds.
All of the big names are in the departures lounge as British
Lion Alex Corbiseiro leads the list, though with his injury record perhaps
losing his understudy Max Lahiff to Melbourne Rebels will be a bigger
blow. England centre Jonathan Joseph is
moving onto Bath with Matt Garvey, David Sisi and England Under 20s winger
Anthony Watson joining him in the West Country.
Scotland hooker Scott Lawson is moving to Newcastle and
Steve Shingler is going home to Llanelli.
Tigers have of course signed utility back row Jamie Gibson.
Replacing them? Well
not much really. Former Nottingham pair
Matt Parr and Nic Rouse, Tigers academy trio Jonny Harris, Jimmy Stevens and
Alex Lewington, Worcester number 8 Blair Cowen, Newcastle hooker Mike Mayhew,
former Falcon Andy Fenby on the wing.
They still have some cracking players like Sailosi
Tagicakibau, Halani Aulika and Ian Humphreys but their squad is probably the
thinnest in the league, especially in the tight forwards. From what I can tell they only have 3
dedicated locks in Skivington, Evans and Rouse.
They always struggle to win games in winter, even when they
were a Play Off team about 5 years ago, and I can’t see that record getting any
better.
They might stay up, but somebody has to finish bottom and I
can’t see a stronger contender.
Prediction: 12th
Irish Fan view
ReplyDeleteYou may be right but had good second half of season & only 2 of the leavers played regularly . I have a feeling they will do Ok providing they avoid lots of injuries. Less unrest in dressing room & one or two decent signings , no show ponies . My view will finish 8 or 9.Newcastle to be relegated
Shame we didn't recruit a short stocky exTiggs br leg-end as our forwards coach would have made me more confident.
ReplyDeleteNo Rotherham/LW no hoper means its a 4 way fight to survive still think Falcons favs & has Dear Ryan really changed Wuss.
So Irish to survive.
PS Young Gibson could be real surprise for you guys Great lad hope he goes well.
Portcullis Irish