London Irish. Gone. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65819546 London Irish have been suspended from the Premiership after missing a deadline to pay players and staff. The club, who were given until Tuesday to complete a takeover or risk being suspended, will not be allowed to play in any league next season.

London Irish. Gone. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65819546 London Irish have been suspended from the Premiership after missing a deadline to pay players and staff. The club, who were given until Tuesday to complete a takeover or risk being suspended, will not be allowed to play in any league next season.

All very sad, but as OM says, RU has been living beyond its means for most of the years since they went (officially) professional. Now our glorious government has brought in Ralph to apply the quietus!!

Ralph Rimmer savior of Rugby Union. I am sure his appointment went down well in the Premiership clubs.
Surely Gus MacKay could do an even better job, he has experience of the Union game at Worcester and that has worked out well!

If we are still looking for a 2nd Asst Coach, part time or otherwise, Les Kiss appears to be at a lose end & might fancy a return. Even after 20 odd years, sure he has something to offer.

Real shame for the Exiles fans, a mate of mine followed them all over, had a son who played in their academy ( he actually switched to ours when we were at the Stoop for a couple of years before going to uni) , he even met his wife at a Exiles game up North.
Although he’s living over in Derry now he keeps an eye on how they’re doing - he must be very sad.

I guess with the Irish demise we will continue at Plough Lane despite it's unavailability. I note the Broncos scholars fixture vs Newcastle Thunder is now to be played on the 17/6 at Ealing Trailfinders rather than at Richmond Athletic Ground. I make that 5 grounds we will have used to fulfil home fixtures this season across First team, Women, Reserves, Academy and Scholars team.

That must be worth an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, surely?

There’s plenty of time left this season to add a few more grounds to the list!

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -worcester Interesting comments from Mike Eccles- I would imagine IF it is an opportunity to bring in a few more fans I’d expect Midlands to make more of it than us…..

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -worcester Interesting comments from Mike Eccles- I would imagine IF it is an opportunity to bring in a few more fans I’d expect Midlands to make more of it than us…..

Eccles comments hark back to what Danny Ward said when he left the club. But if rugby league desperately needs a detailed strategic plan for London then why aren't Broncos taking the lead in creating it ?

Now that IS the question.

...and if IMG really believe that cracking London is finding The Holy Grail, why aren't they swarming all over it like flies round s**t?

Forgive the choice of second metaphor.