RUCK.co.uk takes a look at what London Irish’s team would have looked like if they hadn’t lost their best players.
The Exiles youth system is a conveyor belt of talent. Rough diamonds are regularly polished beyond recognition but, unfortunately, not all of them go on to shine for the club that discovered or developed them.
‘Boo-hoo, life’s not fair, get over it,’ is what many of you may be thinking. But come on, show a little bit of sympathy.
The talent that has waved goodbye to London Irish is staggering. If big-name players hadn’t left for pastures new and were supplemented with the current squad, the side’s pursuit of Premiership survival or even a top six finish wouldn’t be unthinkable.
Here’s a look at an entirely theoretical London Irish XV based on the best players they have had in the past few years.