Exiles chasing rugby league star

London Irish have tabled a huge over to try and tempt rugby league star Brett Stewart to cross codes and journey from Australia to the Aviva Premiership, according to reports. The Herald Sun claims that the star could collect up to AUS$850,000 (£546k) a season at the Exiles with a source telling the newspaper: "London Irish have the money.

"Rugby union has a salary cap twice the size of Super League. Brett Stewart would be a sensation over here. We watch him play NRL every week. He is an amazing athlete. He would set alight our competition."

This was from: http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/2012/06/exiles_chasing_rugby_league_st.php

Surely the figure £546k a season is not right?

LI could probably do with another fullback don't think they'll spend a tenth of their wage budget on one though, especially when they have two good young English options. One of whom (Homer) is one of the best points kickers in the country and the other (Watson) looks set to be an attacking sensation from deep.

The LI head coach has a soft spot for league converts but this would be a massive signing if it went ahead and a real gamble at the back when probably the tight five is in need of the cash more.

thought exactly the same sam. i really do rate homer, he's been impressive in every game i've seen him play. irish have already signed one rugby league player in Setaimata Sa from cataland dragons for next season. would signing two rugby league converts for next season backline too much of a risk?

This is probably no different to the Luke Fitzgerald rumour from a month or so ago. The player is trying to leverage more money from his existing club by saying that LI have offered him loads of cash. Irish aren't exactly rolling in $$, so unless he is hugely talented, I can't see why we'd be looking to pay out that amount.

I suspect that if he was available for £200k then LI might well be interested as he would be a good mentor to the young fullbacks and offer class and experience at 15. LI do have experienced wingers and half backs for next season so they wouldn't be that desperate for his experience and their backline is classy already so there's no need for an injection of ability. It just doesn't weigh up.

I think mawhis has right, LI have an interest and the player's agent is naming dreamland figures to try and encourage the additional year he is rumoured to want adding onto the contract under negociation.

Now if he was a massive prop reknowned for scrummaging like a demon, LI might think differently...

From what I have read this guy is a great finisher but isn't particularly secure under the high ball or solid in defence. If we are wanting to spend that amount of money, surely someone like Cory Jane, who can cover full back and wing would be a better option?

from espn scrum:

Reports on Code13rugbyleague.com suggest that London Irish have recruited ex-super league player Michael Worrincy from Championship 1 side London Skolars. He has played for the Bulls and Harlequins RL and looks set to make the switch ahead of next season.

Sam it seems you're right, LI coach has a soft spot for league converts.

I stand to be corrected, but I thought there was a cap on the marquee player's salary, c.£300k? So the figure of £546k seems to be a bit much.

£300k would be under the marquee amount and the other £246k would be under the standard salary cap.

formerly known as Sam wrote:£300k would be under the marquee amount and the other £246k would be under the standard salary cap.

Can you do both? It seems a bit strange to have a limit that can then be exceeded, but then again I suppose that sums up the salary cap quite nicely!

This post's title has raised another issue. How do we differentiate between LI exiles and LW exiles? And are they both actually 'Exiles Squared' cos they're exiled from London as well? That word has now lost all meaning...

2x NotNots. Hmm interesting.

They do have a few Welsh players (like Sonny Parker )

Maybe NotNotMuch

But by moving to Oxford they are that bit closer to Wales. So you could have the NotNots and the NotQuites

Well LI do have a couple of Irish players in Humphries and O'Leary. How about the "NotNots" and the "we'll sue you if you're mean to us's".

formerly known as Sam wrote:2x NotNots. Hmm interesting.

Oxford Welsh (as I am sure they are being called already) do have a fair bit of welsh in there, in the ownership, coaching and playing staff. But I think Oxford Welsh will be the name that they get stuck with.

HongKongCherry wrote:But by moving to Oxford they are that bit closer to Wales. So you could have the NotNots and the NotQuites

London Scottish are improving all the time. What happens to the names if they make it up, eh?

doctor_grey wrote:London Scottish are improving all the time. What happens to the names if they make it up, eh?

The Leicester fans on here throw a wobbly about them not being good enough, not being from london, not being scottish. Basically not being Leicester.

The Leicester fans on here throw a wobbly about them not being good enough, not being from london, not being scottish. Basically not being Leicester.

Nobody else is Leicester. I think there is quite the anti-LW sentiment at the minute because they refused to play by the rules and then through the toys out the pram with most Tigers fans having a soft spot for Falcons but most Tigers fans also have a soft spot for LI.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well LI do have a couple of Irish players in Humphries and O'Leary. How about the "NotNots" and the "we'll sue you if you're mean to us's".

And Sandford and Gaston We're getting there. Brian Smith has said that he will be actively looking to recruit Irish players.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12550/7868578/Exiles-trial-for-Worrincy

He looks a big chappy from that pic. I wonder where he'll fit in? Marauding centre, powerhouse wing or slot him onto the backrow for additional firepower there?

I think he's being looked at as a back Sam, I would guess wing or centre.

Smith is wasting no time in bulking out that backline then. 15 stone 5 and 6 foot 1 according to wiki. Add that to Sa who according to Wiki is at 16 stone 3 and 6 foot 3. That's some serious beef being added to the Exiles backline.

London Irish have the money? Since when?

Werent they moaning that putting the salary cap up was unfair because they alredy couldnt afford to spend up to it?

Are they banking on the massively increased revenues from having LW in the joining the premiership?

Shipped out some big earners freeing up funds, and in order to spend up to the salary cap this season have culled the back room staff considerably.

Sam, I think Worrincy is unlikely to be involved in any AP games unless he is a revelation on trial, he will be LV cover I would think. If Sa settles well I think him and JJ will be our midfield.