Director of rugby Nick Kennedy leaves London Irish with immediate effect

London Irish legend and director of rugby Nick Kennedy has decided to resign and will leave the club with immediate effect.

Kennedy was given an option to coach alongside new technical consultant Declan Kidney and head coach Les Kiss but opted to leave the relegation-threatened club with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old has chosen to depart having served in the role since summer of 2016.

"We're disappointed he has decided to move on," said Irish president and majority shareholder Mick Crossan.

"Nick will always be a major figure in the London Irish history books.

"He was an excellent player and we believed that he had a promising career in front of him as a coach, which we had hoped that he would fulfil under the guidance of Declan Kidney and Les Kiss."

"London Irish will always have a special place in my heart," Kennedy said, in a statement released by Irish.

"This was not a decision that I made lightly, as there are a great bunch of coaches and players at Hazelwood (Irish's training base).

"I'm proud I helped change the academy from a two-star to a five-star RFU (Rugby Football Union) rating, and to have gone undefeated for a season to win the under-18 Premiership Rugby title.

Kennedy has made more than 200 appearances for the Exiles and won seven England caps.

The London Irish are stuck at the bottom of the Aviva Premiership table and their second relegation in three years could be confirmed at the start of April.

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