London Irish, the professional rugby club, is edging towards a rejuvenation as advanced talks are underway for a takeover.
Since June 2023, the club has been in administration, but a ray of hope emerges as German investor Daniel Thomas Loitz, leading private investment holding company Hokulani Ltd, has been engaged in negotiations for several months.
While a final agreement remains pending, indications from sources close to the negotiations suggest that a breakthrough is imminent.
The intricate process involves approval from numerous creditors, yet Loitz remains optimistic about the prospects of London Irish returning to competitive action in the Championship, England’s second-tier rugby league, as early as the 2025-26 season.
Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, Loitz said: “London Irish is a wonderful brand and has so much history. I do not want to strive for idiotic things like immediate silverware, but I want to focus on the community, engaging with the fans and having an identity at the club.
“For example, I believe it’s necessary that we concentrate on producing players for the English youth national teams and mould players for the future. That’s good for the English game, it’s good for English rugby.
“We also want to make sure we have a great relationship with London Irish’s amateur club, and to have a pathway together where we can bring through talents.”
Dan Carter’s toughest opponents:
Renowned rugby player Dan Carter, widely acknowledged as the greatest back of the professional era, recently revealed his rankings of the six toughest opponents he faced throughout his illustrious career.
#6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
CARTER SAID: “He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks.”
DID YOU KNOW? He broke the record for most tackles in a match, making 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup final
