Today, London Irish has officially applied for administration, pointing the finger at their suspension by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as the decisive factor in thwarting any prospects of securing a buyer.
In an unfortunate turn of events, the Exiles have now become the third Premiership club this season to cease operations, joining Worcester and Wasps on a path of uncertainty and dissolution.
Expressing his deep disappointment, Mick Crossan, the owner of London Irish, criticised the governing body's choice to suspend his club from the Premiership.
He emphasized that the decision fails to acknowledge the precarious circumstances that other clubs presently find themselves in.
He said: “Collectively, owners of clubs are working very hard to transform their models, but the lack of real support, at times, is non-existent.
“It speaks volumes that Ralph Rimmer and Chris Pilling have been appointed by the Government as independent advisers to work on the future stability of rugby union in the UK.
“The professional game in this country needs to be radically transformed. And the current leadership must urgently review its practices from top to bottom if it has a desire to see professional rugby continue in England.”
Since 2013, Crossan took ownership of the Exiles, investing significant sums into the club over the past ten years.
In an open letter to players, staff and fans, he said: “We have worked tirelessly over the last few years to develop a more sustainable business model, trying to tap into the Irish community, developing new revenue streams, investing in our fantastic academy to develop future stars, and of course bringing the club back to its spiritual home in West London after 20 years away.
“However, the reality is that professional rugby in this country is going through a hugely challenging time and after a decade of supporting the club financially, it is not feasible for me to continue absorbing the multi-million-pound losses of the club each year, indefinitely.”
“Queue of clubs” – Four players linked with London Irish exit prior to suspension
#1. Lovejoy Chawatama - Bristol Bears
The Rugby Paper suggests that Bristol may make an offer to sign Lovejoy Chawatama, a 30-year-old tighthead prop from Zimbabwe.
Chawatama, the Zimbabwean athlete who gained renown as the Zimbabwe Sports Personality of the Year in 2017, became a member of the Exiles team after leaving London Welsh in that very year.
Standing at an impressive height of 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 18 stone, this formidable prop forward has accumulated a commendable record of 75 appearances for London Irish. His arrival at Bristol Rugby Club presents an opportunity to bolster their ranks with his wealth of experience in the number three jersey.
This acquisition is particularly valuable as the team will face the absence of their first-choice tighthead, Kyle Sinckler, who is committed to England throughout the upcoming season.
#2. Henry Arundell - Bath
According to The Rugby Paper, Bath will waste no time this week to cherry-pick the best talent by signing up Arundell.
He was a standout performer for the England u20s, Arundell shot into the limelight after scoring an incredible solo try against Toulon during the 2021/22 Challenge Cup.
He was part of the London Irish U18s squad that won the Under-18 Academy League title. He attended Harrow School and has been a part of the London Irish Academy since he was 14 years old, whilst also playing his club rugby for Bradford-on-Avon RFC. He has also previously been selected as part of the England U18 setup.
The 2021/22 season was a breakout one for Arundell at London Irish with his 11 tries in 17 appearances Exiles and England under-20s earning him the Land Rover Discovery of the Season.
Eligible to represent Scotland and Wales, Arundell earned a test call-up for England ahead of the three-test tour to Australia where he made an instant impact by scoring on his debut.
#3. Tom Pearson - Bath
Bath, along with a queue of clubs, are also reportedly ready to swoop for Tom Pearson.
The 23-year-old was a key cog in the Exiles wheel throughout 2022/23, with his performances helping Irish to a fifth-placed finish, their highest since 2008/09.
Pearson made 235 tackles in 2022/23 – only Northampton Saints’ Alex Moon made more across the league – and was also in the top three for turnovers won (21).
Pearson’s performances have put him firmly in the World Cup conversation and he has had conversations with England head coach Steve Borthwick surrounding his ambitions.
“It’s tough, the amount of quality sevens in the league is very high,” he said.
“I have just got to do what I can, do what is asked of me for that level of game. It is me against me, that’s how I see it.
“He [Borthwick] is looking for an openside [flanker] with a high level of work rate, that’s something I am trying to work on and put forward to him and the other coaches.
“You have just got to have a little bit of confidence and play out of your own ability sometimes. It is very easy to stay in the system and do what you are told, but if you can get out of the system in a way that is going to benefit the team, that’s very important.”
Tom Pearson of London Irish during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Northampton Saints at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 25 March 2023 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
#4. Paddy Jackson - Brive
Reports across the channel suggested last week that the Ireland international would sign with Top 14 strugglers Pau, who finished 12th last season.
Well regarded for his step and his ability as a broken field runner, Jackson is equally comfortable at inside centre. Jackson has been keenly followed by Irish Rugby fans for years, chiefly due to the fact that he was one The All Ireland League’s top point scorers for Dungannon RFC only a year after finishing school. Such impressive club form made an Ulster contract an inevitability.
Jackson made his Ulster debut in early 2011 against the Scarlets. He was included in the Ireland Junior World Championship squad in 2011 and also went on to captain the U20s in their 2012 Six Nations campaign.
He made his senior international debut in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations against Scotland and toured with the senior squad to North America.
The Ulster man was then dropped for a number of matches form the Irish squad, but re-found his form starring for Ulster in the 2014/15 Pro 12 season. A string of excellent performances at the flyhalf position led to him being selected in Irelands 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
He started all three tests in South Africa in 2016 - showing he is an able deputy at out half as Ireland claimed an historic first by beating the Springboks in Cape Town.
Paddy has improved his game-management and is a threat in attack with natural pace and sharp distribution and in May 2017, Jackson was named in the Ireland squad to tour USA & Japan.
Jackson has played 123 times for Ulster and represented Ireland on 25 occasions.
In June 2018, Perpignan president François Rivière confirmed that the flyhalf has signed for the club on a two-year deal.
May 2019 saw Jackson sign a deal with London Irish ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Paddy Jackson of London Irish kicks for goal during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Newcastle Falcons at The Brentford Community Stadium, London on December 04 2021 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
