Transfer News: London Irish confirm departing players - Ruck

Transfer News: London Irish confirm departing players

London Irish has thanked the players for their dedication and wish them all the best for the future.

Topsy Ojo, the Exiles record try-scoring and appearance holder, will retire from professional rugby following the conclusion of the season. Ojo will continue working with London Irish in an ambassadorial role, extending his existing 16-year association with the club.

Ofisa Treviranus will leave the club with 139 London Irish appearances to his name. The Samoa international quickly became a favourite with the Exiles supporters after his 2011 move to the club.

The most recent Exiles centurion Fergus Mulchrone will also leave the club in the summer. The centre joined Irish in 2013 from Rotherham. He has been a major influence on and off the field and has been one of our senior leaders for several years.

Scrum-half Brendan McKibbin will hang up his boots following an expansive career in Australia and England. McKibbin made over 60 appearances for Irish and will join Rugby Australia in a referee coaching capacity.

The versatile Josh McNally will leave the club and move to the West country. McNally has captained the side throughout the 2018/19 campaign and has been ever-present in the Exiles pack.

Scottish international Greig Tonks will leave the club after three years and 60 appearances for London Irish. Playing at both fly-half and full-back, Tonks has recorded 192 points for the club.

Full-back Tommy Bell is set to depart the club after managing to amass over 380 points for the Exiles. Comfortable at fly-half or full-back, Bell’s versatility and goal kicking have been important attributes for London Irish.

Jake Schatz has made 35 appearances for the club since his move to England. Playing across the back-row, Schatz has been a brilliant influence on and off the pitch whilst offering a substantial presence in the Exiles pack.

Canadian international Ciaran Hearn will leave the Exiles after 30 appearances and six tries in the green jersey. Hearn has played for the club in a variety of positions, including wing, full-back and the centres. The back scored a vital try in the 2016/17 Championship play-off final victory against Yorkshire Carnegie and will now head off to play in the RWC 2019.

The experienced Luke McLean is set to depart London Irish following his two-year spell with the club, amassing 33 appearances and three tries. McLean has played a variety of positions in his time with the club, including wing, centre and full-back. He has been a very positive influence on and off the field, especially with the development of younger players, including Ben Loader, Matt Williams and Ollie Hassell-Collins.

New Zealander Mike Coman will retire, due to injury, from professional rugby at the end of the season. The back row notched up 30 appearances for the club following his move from Edinburgh for the 2016/17 campaign. Coman picked up the 2016/17 Player of the Year award at the club’s end of season dinner.

Teofilo Paulo will leave London Irish following 30 appearances for the club. The Samoa international has contributed two tries in his time at the Exiles and was a real power of strength in the engine room of the pack.

Scottish international Gordon Reid has merged appearing for his country and London Irish for the past two seasons. The prop will leave the club having contributed strongly to the powerful Exiles scrum.

Ian Keatley joined London Irish on a short-term contract, having already agreed to join Italian Pro14 outfit Benetton Rugby. Keatley will leave for Italy having proved a vital asset in Irish’s promotion charge, contributing 67 points in seven appearances.

Prop Manasa Saulo will leave London Irish at the conclusion of the 2018/19 season. Saulo played in Fiji’s November win over France and we wish him well in his charge for selection for the upcoming RWC.

Fijian international Napolioni Nalaga will leave London Irish following a frustrating injury-stricken period with the club. He has faced all these challenges head-on and shown our younger players how to deal with adversity. We wish him all the best for the future.

Sam Twomey is set to leave the club after one season, the second row picked up a heavy injury early on but has been a very positive influence within the squad.

London Irish director of rugby, Declan Kidney said: “I would like to thank all the players for their commitment to London Irish during their time with the club. We wish every one of them and their families all the very best for the future.”