Emotional Agustin Creevy posts ‘amazing London Irish family’ message

Former Argentina skipper Agustin Creevy has broken his silence following last Tuesday’s demise of London Irish. The Exiles became the third Gallagher Premiership club to collapse financially since last September and owner Mick Crossan placed the business into administration on Wednesday.

This development has left Creevy feeling distraught. It was during the 2020 lockdown when London Irish threw the now 38-year-old a career lifeline. The Jaguares, the Buenos Aires-based Super Rugby team, had collapsed less than a year after reaching the 2019 final at the Crusaders and it left their players seeking employment abroad.

Irish put in a call to Creevy and he went on to enjoy three excellent years at the club, making 68 appearances and scoring a whopping 28 tries. It was form that led to a much-desired recall to the Argentina set-up after Michael Cheika took over from Mario Ledesma last year.

Creevy started in the final match that London Irish played, the early May win over Exeter that clinched a fifth-place Premiership finish, and he has now written on Instagram: “I still can't believe what happened with London Irish.

“I had the hope until the very last minute and even after that that this wouldn't be the outcome. It is still hard for me to articulate some words to express how I feel. I know all of us who love London Irish, as I do, are going through the same.

“London Irish has been more than a rugby club for me, it was truly ‘home away from home’. The club welcomed me in a grim moment of my professional career and allowed me to go back to play and enjoy myself.

“It is really difficult to express in these lines all that I felt through these three years as part of the Exile nation. Some of the memories there will be one of the most memorable ones of my rugby-playing career. I felt happy and extremely comfortable as if that would have been my home club. And I know that is the culture in London Irish, that was the motto.

“I am and will be eternally grateful to everyone at London Irish for taking me as a member of this great family and allowing me to defend the colours of the famous green jersey. To all the supporters, thank you for your unconditional support and all the love expressed at games, through social media and in person.

“To London Irish players, thank you for your friendship, some of you will be lifelong friends. It was a privilege to share the field with you. To all the team staff, thank you for your dedication and for encouraging me to be a better player. To the club staff, cooks, managers, kit manager, back office, etc. thank you for your care and support.

“To all London Irish, thank you for letting me be part of this amazing family. Forever grateful. It was an honour and a pleasure to represent London Irish.”