London Irish announce squad for 2016-17 season
Geoff Cross was among the players who have announced retirement.
©Press Association
London Irish on Monday have confirmed their squad for the upcoming 2016-17 Greene King IPA Championship season.
The Exiles club were relegated from the Aviva Premiership in the previous season after finishing last in the group stage and were replaced by Bristol for the elite Premiership.
Number of players, including the likes of Matt Symons, Sean Maitland and Tom Cruse have switched to a different club following the relegation while five players including Andrew Fenby, Geoff Cross, Nic Rouse, Tom Guest, George Skivington have announced retirement.
The club have also managed to make 10 signings ahead of the upcoming season with two players switching from Super Rugby, one apiece from Pro 12 and Top 14 while the remaining six are from the other Premiership Rugby clubs.
Director of Rugby at London Irish Nick Kennedy is hoping for a much improved performance in the upcoming season as they bid to make their way back to the Aviva Premiership.
“It’s great to have everyone back for pre-season following the summer break and I know that the players are itching to right the wrongs of last season.
“I’m excited at the prospect of what the new recruits can bring to the table in what is a promising squad with a lot of ambition.
“The Championship is going to be a tough competition and we will need to be fully prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.”
Squad
Backs: Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoirotuma, Brendan McKibbin, Ciaran Hearn, Conor Murphy, Darren Allinson, Fergus Mulchrone, Greig Tonks, James Marshall (Hurricanes), Joe Cockanasiga, Johnny Williams, Matt Williams, Rory Brand, Ross Neal, Scott Steele, Shane Geraghty, Theo Brophy Clews, Tommy Bell (Leicester Tigers), Tom Fowlie, Tom Parton, Topsy Ojo
Forwards: Ben Franks, Blair Cowan, Conor Gilsenan, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints), David Paice, Dave Porecki (Saracens), George Robson (Oyonnax), Gerard Ellis, Harry Elrington, Isaac Curtis Harris, Jebb Sinclair, Jerry Sexton (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Trayfoot, Luke Narraway, Matt Kouris, Ofisa Treviranus, Ollie Hoskins (Western Force), Max Northcote-Green (Bath Rugby), Mike Coman (Edinburgh Rugby), Richard Palframan, Sebastian De Chaves (Leicester Tigers), Tom Court, Tom Smallbone, Will Lloyd
Out: Andrew Fenby (retired), Geoff Cross (retired), Nic Rouse (retired), Tom Guest (retired), George Skivington (retired), Rob McCusker (released), Chris Noakes (released), Leo Halavatau (released), Tom Cruse (Wasps), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Matt Symons (Wasps), Jonny Harris (London Scottish), Jimmy Stevens (Nottingham Rugby), Halani Aulika (Sale Sharks), Dominic Waldouck (Ohio)
