London Irish
Full name | London Irish Rugby Football Club |
---|---|
Union | Middlesex RFU, Surrey RFU, Irish RFU |
Nickname(s) | The Exiles |
Founded | 1898 |
Location | Brentford, Greater London, England |
Ground(s) | Brentford Community Stadium (Capacity: 17,250) |
Chairman | Kieran McCarthy |
CEO | Mark Bensted OBE |
President | Mick Crossan |
Director of Rugby | Declan Kidney |
Coach(es) | Les Kiss |
Captain(s) | Matt Rogerson |
Most caps | Topsy Ojo (300) |
Top scorer | Barry Everitt (1,234) |
Most tries | Topsy Ojo (46) |
League(s) | Premiership Rugby |
2021–22 | 8th |
Official website | |
www |
London Irish RFC is a professional English rugby union club. As its name denotes, the club has a strong historic Irish identity. It was originally based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices, at Hazelwood Drive. It has competed in the Premiership, the top division of English rugby union, every season since its inception in 1996–97, apart from the 2016–17 and 2018–19 seasons, in which the club competed in the RFU Championship, winning the league and promotion both times. The club also competed in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, until the tournament's demise in 2018, and has participated in both the European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup. While playing in the Championship, in 2016–17 and 2018–19, Irish also played in the British and Irish Cup and its successor the RFU Championship Cup respectively. The club played its home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire for 20 years. However, for the 2020–21 season they moved to Brentford Community Stadium in Brentford, west London.
London Irish won its first major trophy in 2002, claiming the Powergen Cup (the competition that is now the Premiership Rugby Cup). Irish also reached the final of the 2009 English Premiership, narrowly losing 10–9 to Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stadium.[1] In the 2007–08 season the team came close to a place in the Heineken Cup Final, losing out to Stade Toulousain 15–21 in a tense semi-final encounter at Twickenham Stadium.[2] The club's mascot is an Irish Wolfhound character called Digger.
History[edit]
London Irish was the last club to be formed in England by working and student exiles from the home countries, following London Scottish in 1878 and London Welsh in 1885. The first game took place on 1 October 1898 against the former Hammersmith club at Herne Hill Athletic Ground, with London Irish winning 8–3. The team that season benefited from the early recruitment of vet and Irish international Louis Magee.[3]
Academy[edit]
London Irish manages its own academy, with players such as Nick Kennedy, Topsy Ojo, Anthony Watson, Delon Armitage and Jonathan Joseph having gone on to play for the senior side and be internationally capped. Ojo retired at the end of the 2018–19 season having made 301 appearances for the club
Stadium[edit]
Since the 2020–21 season, London Irish play at the Brentford Community Stadium, in Brentford, Greater London. The stadium is also the home of Brentford FC and was opened in 2020. The ground is a 17,250 all-seater capacity stadium. All London Irish home matches are generally played at Brentford.
Prior to 2020, the club played at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire for 20 seasons between 2000 and March 2020 when the 2019–20 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The largest crowd for a London Irish match was for a game against London Wasps on 15 March 2008 during the 2007–08 season. The crowd of 23,790 was also the highest attendance for a regular season Premiership Rugby match until December 2008.[4]
On 12 March 2016 London Irish played their first home Premiership match abroad, and also the first-ever Premiership match outside England, when they travelled to the USA to face Saracens at the New York Red Bulls' Red Bull Arena in the New York metropolitan area.[5]
On 15 August 2016, the club announced its intention to return to London and that it was in formal discussions with Hounslow London Borough Council to play at Brentford FC's new stadium.[6] On 10 February 2017, the club confirmed that the council had approved its application to use the stadium for rugby, effectively allowing them to move into the new stadium from its opening season.[7] This was later confirmed.[8]
London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club[edit]
The club also hosts London Irish Amateur RFC (a separate legal entity) for non-professionals to allow them to improve in Rugby. The team plays at the location of London Irish's training ground and offices, Hazelwood in Sunbury. Some players such as Justin Bishop and Kieran Campbell have gone through the ranks to play for London Irish professional team.[9]
Digger[edit]
Digger is an Irish Wolfhound and official mascot of London Irish. He has an important job in providing support to the club.
On 30 May 2003 Digger won the "Best Mascot" award in Premiership Rugby at the Premier Rugby Marketing Awards.[10]
On 23 April 2006, Digger ran the London Marathon raising money for Spinal Research. He finished the marathon in a time of 6 hours 39 minutes 31 seconds.[11]
Colleagues[edit]
Digger was joined by his cousin, Duggie, from the 2006–07 season. Much taller and much slower, Duggie has proved popular with younger children attending matchdays. As well as the mascot characters, there is also a real Irish Wolfhound, Mr Doyle, who also attends the home games. Before Mr Doyle, his Great Uncle, Jumbo, attended home games before Jumbo retired and eventually died.
Current kit[edit]
The kit is currently supplied by BLK. The 2019-20 green home kit is made from Exotek fabric and features gel grippers on the front and gripper tape at the seams. The jersey also features a sectioned crew neck, club colour detailing on the sleeve and a silicone gel finish on the club crest.
The club's principal sponsor Powerday, appears on the front centre on a broad red lined white stripe. Above this, the club's crest appears on the left chest and 9 Group on the right chest. Other club sponsors Pump Technology and Keltbray appear on the back. The playing shorts are plain featuring only the logo of the club and manufacturer.
The away kit is white and features a similar design with Powerday appearing on a broad green stripe.
London Irish recently announced a new elite partnership with Just Clear, an environmentally friendly British house clearance and rubbish removal service in readiness for new Premiership season. London Irish CEO, Mark Bensted, welcomed the arrival of a new partnership to the Club’s commercial portfolio, commenting: “I’m delighted Just Clear are joining the London Irish family". Such news potentially points to London Irish's consolidation of their Premiership status as they were relegated in the 2018-19 season. [12]
Season summaries[edit]
League | Domestic Cup | European Cup | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Competition | Final Position | Points | Play-Offs | Competition | Performance | Competition | Performance |
1987–88 | Courage League Division 2 | 8th | 24 | N/A | John Player Cup | 3rd round | No competition | N/A |
1988–89 | Courage League Division 2 | 6th | 12 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 4th round | ||
1989–90 | Courage League Division 2 | 5th | 12 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 2nd round | ||
1990–91 | Courage League Division 2 | 2nd (P) | 19 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | Quarter-final | ||
1991–92 | Courage League Division 1 | 9th | 9 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 3rd round | ||
1992–93 | Courage League Division 1 | 7th | 12 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 3rd round | ||
1993–94 | Courage League Division 1 | 9th (R) | 8 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 5th round | ||
1994–95 | Courage League Division 2 | 5th | 18 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 5th round | ||
1995–96 | Courage League Division 2 | 2nd (P) | 30 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | Semi-final | No English teams | N/A |
1996–97 | Courage League Division 1 | 10th | 12 | N/A | Pilkington Cup | 4th round | Challenge Cup | 6th in pool |
1997–98 | Allied Dunbar Premiership | 11th | 12 | N/A | Tetley's Bitter Cup | Quarter-final | Challenge Cup | 2nd in pool |
1998–99 | Allied Dunbar Premiership | 7th | 30 | N/A | Tetley's Bitter Cup | Quarter-final | No English teams | N/A |
1999–00 | Allied Dunbar Premiership | 8th | 25 | N/A | Tetley's Bitter Cup | Semi-final | Challenge Cup | Semi-final |
2000–01 | Zurich Premiership | 8th | 45 | N/A | Tetley's Bitter Cup | Quarter-final | Challenge Cup | 1st in pool* |
2001–02 | Zurich Premiership | 4th | 57 | N/A | Powergen Cup | Champions | Challenge Cup | Semi-final |
2002–03 | Zurich Premiership | 9th | 40 | - | Powergen Cup | Semi-final | Heineken Cup | 2nd in pool |
2003–04 | Zurich Premiership | 8th | 49 | - | Powergen Cup | Quarter-final | Challenge Cup | 2nd round |
2004–05 | Zurich Premiership | 10th | 40 | - | Powergen Cup | Semi-final | Challenge Cup | 2nd round |
2005–06 | Guinness Premiership | 3rd | 66 | Semi-final | Powergen Cup | 3rd in pool | Challenge Cup | Runners-up |
2006–07 | Guinness Premiership | 6th | 53 | - | EDF Energy Cup | 2nd in pool | Heineken Cup | 4th in pool |
2007–08 | Guinness Premiership | 7th | 59 | - | EDF Energy Cup | 3rd in pool | Heineken Cup | Semi-final |
2008–09 | Guinness Premiership | 3rd | 66 | Runners-up | EDF Energy Cup | 2nd in pool | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final |
2009–10 | Guinness Premiership | 6th | 52 | - | LV= Cup | 3rd in pool | Heineken Cup | 3rd in pool |
2010–11 | Aviva Premiership | 6th | 54 | - | LV= Cup | 3rd in pool | Heineken Cup | 4th in pool |
2011–12 | Aviva Premiership | 7th | 46 | - | LV= Cup | 2nd in pool | Heineken Cup | 4th in pool |
2012–13 | Aviva Premiership | 9th | 35 | - | LV= Cup | 2nd in pool | Challenge Cup | 2nd in pool |
2013–14 | Aviva Premiership | 10th | 36 | - | LV= Cup | 3rd in pool | Challenge Cup | 2nd in pool |
2014–15 | Aviva Premiership | 10th | 40 | - | LV= Cup | 4th in pool | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final |
2015–16 | Aviva Premiership | 12th (R) | 20 | - | No competition | N/A | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final |
2016–17 | Greene King IPA Championship | 1st (P) | 91 | Champions | British and Irish Cup | Semi-final | Not qualified | N/A |
2017–18 | Aviva Premiership | 12th (R) | 22 | - | Anglo-Welsh Cup | 2nd in pool | Challenge Cup | 3rd in pool |
2018–19 | Greene King IPA Championship | 1st (P) | 99 | - | Championship Cup | Runners-up | Not qualified | N/A |
2019–20 | Gallagher Premiership | 10th | 34 | - | Premiership Cup | 3rd in pool | Challenge Cup | 4th in pool |
2020–21 | Gallagher Premiership | 9th | 48 | - | No competition | N/A | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final |
2021-22 | Gallagher Premiership | 8th | 63 | – | Premiership Cup | Runners-up | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final |
Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
Pink background denotes relegated
* Finished first in pool but did not progress to the quarter-final. Their place was taken by Brive[13][14]
Club honours[edit]
- Premiership Rugby
- Runners–Up: (1) 2008–09
- RFU Championship
- European Challenge Cup
- Runners–Up: (1) 2005–06
- Premiership Rugby Cup
- Surrey Cup
- Champions: (4) 1980–81, 1981–82, 1985–86, 1986–87
- Premiership Rugby Sevens Series
- Champions: (1) 2012
Friendly[edit]
- Middlesex Sevens
- Champions: (1) 2009
- Cunningham Duncombe Series
- Champions: (1) 2016
Current squad[edit]
The London Irish squad for the 2021–22 season is:[15][a][b][c]
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
Academy squad[edit]
The London Irish academy squad is:[19]
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
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- ^ London Irish signed props Ryan Bower and Jamie Dever on short-term deals from the start of the 2021–22 season.[16]
- ^ Northampton Saints hooker Reece Marshall is on a short-term loan at the club.[17]
- ^ Tadgh McElroy is on a loan from Ealing Trailfinders until the end of the 2021–22 season.[18]
Club staff[edit]
First Team Coaching
- Director of Rugby: Declan Kidney
- Head coach: Les Kiss
- Assistant Coach Brad Davis
- Assistant Coach: Declan Danaher
- Assistant Coach: Corniel van Zyl
- Assistant Forwards Coach: Ross McMillan
- Assistant Forwards Coach: Jon Fisher
- Team Manager: Alex James
- Assistant Team Manager: Will Crowley-Johnson
- Head of Strength and Conditioning: Robert Palmer
- Head of Analysis: James Molyneux
- Senior Performance Analyst: Matt Carpinter
- Senior Performance Analyst: Richard Green
Academy
- Academy Manager: Patrick O'Grady
- Academy Backs Coach: James Lightfoot-Brown
- Academy Forwards Coach: Jon Fisher
- AASE Manager: Richard Pryor
- Academy Performance Analyst: Brendan O'Shea
Notable former players[edit]
See also[edit]
- Rugby union in London
- London Cornish
- London Scottish
- London Welsh
- Richmond
- Rugby union in the United States
- Hazelwood
References[edit]
- ^ Palmer, Bryn (16 May 2009). "Leicester 10–9 London Irish". BBC News.
- ^ "London Irish 15–21 Toulouse". BBC News. 26 April 2008.
- ^ Club history –beginnings london-irish.com Retrieved 20 September 2015
- ^ "No Luck on Paddy's Day for Irish". Guinness Premiership.com. Retrieved 16 March 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "London Irish Aviva Premiership Rugby match in USA". London Irish. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
- ^ Hyde, Nathan. "London Irish could soon leave Madejski Stadium". Get Reading. Trinity Mirror Southern. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Approval for rugby". Brentford Community Stadium. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ "Back in Town — The Irish are Returning to London!". London Irish. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ [1] Archived 15 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Digger Wins 'Best Mascot' Award". London Irish. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ "Steven Orton is fundraising for Spinal Research – JustGiving". JustGiving. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ "Just Clear have joined London Irish as an Elite Partner". London Irish. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Challenge Cup | Pool Tables".
- ^ "Challenge Cup | Fixtures & Results".
- ^ "First Team - London Irish". London Irish. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Jamie Dever and Ryan Bower join London Irish on short-term deals". Talking Rugby Union. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ "London Irish sign Northampton hooker Reece Marshall on loan". Talking Rugby Union. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "Tadgh McElroy: London Irish sign Ealing hooker on loan". BBC Sport. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Academy Players". London Irish. Retrieved 15 February 2020.