London Irish faces the ultimatum of paying all staff in full by Wednesday or being expelled from the Gallagher Premiership, according to recent developments.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has given owner Mick Crossan the opportunity to meet the payroll deadline, failing which an extension for the completion of the takeover will be revoked.
Initially, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope on Tuesday when Crossan appeared to commit to fulfilling the May salaries, amounting to approximately £500,000. In response, the RFU was willing to grant additional time for the takeover to be finalized.
However, a change of heart from Crossan emerged late in the day. He offered the players only 50% of their May salaries, with a vague promise that the remainder would be covered by the new American consortium.
In response to these developments, the RFU club financial viability group convened on Tuesday evening. They acknowledged that the conditions set by the RFU had not been met and considered the request for an extension to the deadline.
The group decided to postpone their decision for 24 hours to ascertain whether the club can fulfill its commitment to paying staff for the month of May. They will reconvene that evening to discuss further.
“The RFU club financial viability group met Tuesday evening. It noted the conditions set by the RFU had not been met and considered the application for an extension to the deadline,” an RFU statement on Wednesday morning read.
“It was agreed to defer the decision for 24 hours to establish if the club is able to honour the commitment it has made to staff that they will be paid for the month of May. The group will meet again this evening.”
If the Exiles manages to pay all its staff, including notable players like Henry Arundell and Tom Pearson, by the designated day, it is likely that an extension of approximately one week will be granted to facilitate the finalisation of the takeover by the American buyers.
Speedster Arundell has been linked to Bath, while Pearson is thought to have numerous teams interested in his services.
“The All Greens” – Ireland World Cup squad mocked by New Zealanders
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One fan wrote: “Saw the All Blacks B squad was named today,”
The hostility between the two groups of fans originated last summer when Ireland achieved a clean sweep victory over New Zealand on their home soil.
ow, let’s examine the squads of Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, focusing on the players who were born outside their respective countries.
So far, a staggering total of 52 players have switched nationalities.
FOREIGN BORN PLAYERS IN IRELAND SQUAD: EIGHT PLAYERS
Rob Herring, hooker, South Africa
Finlay Bealham, prop, Australia
Joe McCarthy, lock, USA
Kieran Treadwell, lock, England
Jamison Gibson-Park, scrum-half, New Zealand
Bundee Aki, centre, New Zealand
Mack Hansen, winger, Australia
James Lowe, winger, New Zealand