London Irish Academy have been crowned 2022/23 Premiership Rugby U18s Champions, after securing a 19-27 victory over Northampton Saints. The final took place at Saracens’ Stone X Stadium last night, in what showcased the bright future of the Exiles and Saints.
The Junior Exiles secured the win through four tries, with Louie Heard, Kepueli Tuipulotu, Finn Worley-Brady and George Goodridge making it onto the score-sheet. Rory Taylor ended the match with a penalty, sending the ball sailing into the North London sky to secure the trophy. London Irish Academy have now won the competition for a third time, having previously achieved success in 2016 and 2020.
Northampton Saints took the lead first, as flanker Henry Pollock scored, with Ben Radnor adding the conversion. Full back Toby Cousins scored Saint’s second, and extended their lead. Irish responded through Louie Heard to remain in the fight, and stretched in front after Tuipulotu’s try gave Irish back-to-back scores at the Stone X.
Sol Moody then scored for Saints, grounding off the back of a rolling maul. However, London Irish fought valiantly to keep in the fight, and then take the match out of reach for Saints, to come away victorious in the Academy competition.
London Irish find themselves in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final, and are set to take on the Exeter Chiefs. The Devonshire club will be travelling to Irish’s home in Brentford for the final. The Exiles are going to try and replicate their Academy’s success in the final, and right the wrongs of losing the Premiership Rugby Cup final last year.