New Year, New Owner, New London Irish?

Over the festive season I travelled an hour up the road from my home to see my beloved Gloucester in action, against fellow strugglers London Irish. Putting aside a massively important win for the Cherry & Whites, I left feeling more than a little concerned for the Exiles.

I came home with the intention of writing a piece that outlined my concerns; instead I suffered from the challenge any part-time writer faces – finding the time and weeks have gone by as a result. Those weeks have changed the tone of my piece...

The London based consortium of Irish businessman, led by Mick Crossan, has a challenge on their hands to reinvigorate the club. Reading, itself, is ideally located but leaves Irish with an identity crisis, to Gloucester fans they are the not nots. Not from London, and not Irish. They are tied into a ground share agreement with Reading FC at the Madjeski Stadium until 2025/26; Crossan has talked about leaving the Madjeski after the current deal runs out. It’s worth considering yes, but the Madjeski could well turn out to be the lesser of two evils. The size and design of the football grounds swallows up any atmosphere, your left with constant drumming and the tragic cry of “come on you Irish” across the tannoy. However, I was impressed with the facilities; access was good with ample parking and it had the usual assortment of burger vans catering to a chilly but bright crowd. All you need to attract regular fans.

Originally this article was to be entitled “regressing London Irish must make smart decisions”, and the early signs are they are making smart decisions. Crossan has thrown funds and flexibility behind Brian Smiths sensible recruitment policy. Tom Court, a Lions prop in name only but a solid part of the front row union who has been in and around the Ireland team. He will be a force in the Premiership but more importantly is another addition to the Irish exiles, which Smith wants to form the core and character of the team going forwards. Led by the inspiring Declan Danaher.

Combined with Tom Guest and Luke Narraway, ok their not Irish but you start to see a pack taking shape. I assume that both players will compete for the number eight shirt, intelligent competitors who will complement a back row that has big ball carriers such Ofisa Treviranus who has just re-signed. My biggest concern though is player retention.

The player drain that resulted in Jamie Gibson, Jonathan Joseph and Alex Corbisiero to leave is badly damaging. These are players of rare talent that you can’t just replace. James O’Connor and CJ Van der Linde have stopped by for a pay check. Both have added much needed impetuous on and off the field, and judging by the exiles turn in form this season it looks a smart move. On the other hand they take a significant chunk of the wage cap for half a season, as much good as they have done over half a season, they would have done double, triple, if they had signed on longer term deals. If global starlets will only stop by, then why should Yarde with a real chance of being one of the top wingers in the league stay on? He’s not. He’s off to Harlequins. With so many players coming in and out, not just in the off season but through the season how can players gel and gain that natural understanding which changes teams. You only have to look at Care’s try for England at the weekend for an example of what playing week in and week out with the same guys can result in.

Tom Guest’s signing does ease this concern, Nick Easter isn’t getting any younger and Harlequins are challenging for silverware so it is somewhat of a surprise that he has chosen to move on. Something must have attracted him? Crossan’s vision? Centre Eamon Sheridan is rumoured to be off to Munster, he’s Irish and has stood out this season, if Smith is serious about building a core of Exiles and hanging onto talent then he must work hard to keep him at the Madjeski. London Irish need to hold on tight to a core of players that will put bums on seats with the quality to pull the club from the underwhelming mire of mid table.