6. RFU Championship Triumphs
London Irish entered a yo-yo stage from 2016 to 2019, as they bounced up and down between the Premiership and the RFU Championship. Initially relegated after a sorry performance in the 2015/16 Premiership season, London Irish dominated the competition in the English second division, finishing top of the tree with 19 wins in 20 matches.
Irish then dispatched Doncaster Knights in the two-legged semi-final 74-25 on aggregate, before securing their place back in the top flight. Irish claimed the 2016/17 RFU Championship title with an 84-66 aggregate win over Yorkshire Carnegie, and added to their trophy cabinet for the first time since 2002.
However, Irish’s return to the Premiership lasted just one season, as they found themselves relegated back into the second division at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. The Exiles bounced back once again, not letting the relegation way heavy on their minds. Irish recorded 20 victories that season, and ensured promotion with a round of action left to play.
There were no play-offs for the 2018/19 RFU Championship season, and Irish were rightfully crowned champions of the second division. Another glistening trophy was added to the collection, in what was the last addition despite back-to-back appearances in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final.
London Irish admirably maintained their status within the Premiership until their bitter end, with hopes of a phoenix team revival to one day see them return to their rightful home in the English top flight.