London Irish on the warpath

First topic message reminder :

London Irish have been making some very impressive signings of late and look to be going all in in terms of attempting to remain in the Premiership next season.

The Exiles have snatched up internationals Sekope Kepu, SOB, Paddy Jackson, Waisake Naholo and Adam Coleman.

They've also been retaining promising young players such as Sam Collingridge (second row), Ben Atkins (hooker), Izaiha Moore-Aiono (back row) and Caolan Englefield (scrum-half).

Will they be a force to reckon with during the 2019/2020 season?

Gooseberry wrote:Also are people actually complaining about a lack of English players in a club specifically formed by and for an immigrant community? 

Should the question not be how many Irish players are there in the squad?

Well how would the Irish RFU react to one of their provinces being dominated by NIQ talent? With the number of teams in the premiership we are reasonably placed to absorb NEQ players but it will always raise questions regardless of the roots of the club in question.

I can see both sides of the debate (Gooseberry's and yours lost)

I think the truth now though is that London Irish is by now just a trademark name that may of may not be vaguely used as a marketing tool to appeal to Irish exiles/Natives with Irish connections fans or might be just more realistically an historic name that's been held onto for simple historic, traditional, nostalgic reasons.  After all, how many Native Americans have played for the Redskins?

It's an English club and yep, it should seek to mostly serve English interests when it comes to selecting players and potentially taking those players to the levels that might see them play International for their country.

I'll pick up the Brophy-Clews but here then. There seems to be a few talented youngsters who are being played in a number of positions who then don't get their chance in the team in a settled environment as quickly. Can be good I one respect to have few strings you bow but can set you back.

..I thought I was on the right thread.....

Apologies if I wasn't. I don't know which damn thread l'm on!

No 7&1/2 wrote:I'll pick up the Brophy-Clews but here then. There seems to be a few talented youngsters who are being played in a number of positions who then don't get their chance in the team in a settled environment as quickly. Can be good I  one respect to have  few strings you bow but can set you back.

TBC is an interesting one. Has spent pretty much the last year out with one injury or another, so any rugby would be good for him. He's listed as a fly half and considers himself one, but I'm not sure he'll ever properly make it there. His kicking from hand and from the tee isn't as strong as you'd really expect from a top level ten. Jacob Atkins is a bit younger and has come through without the age grade fanfare but he looks much stronger at the basics.

If his body holds together Theo's best chance of a good top level career is as a playmaking 12 imo.

Have added Brad Davis as a coach as well. Seems well-regarded.

The Aussie who was formerly at Ospreys?

Yep that's the one Mikey

He made a positive impact immediately. long-term maybe not so much; I don’t put that down to him though, I put it down to the mismanagement of the org by the board as well as the below-par coaches they brought in.

I concur. Brad Davies did a great job. Shame he left. The reason the Ospreys are not three times European champions is not because of a weak defence coach.

Sounds like we got a good one

George Nott signed from Sharks ...