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London Irish confirm further departures including three internationals
By Josh Raisey
London Irish have confirmed the departure of eleven players at the end of the season, which includes over 200 caps-worth of experience.
Alongside the already confirmed departures of Albert Tuisue (joining Gloucester), George Nott (joining Dragons), Terrence Hepetema (joining Grenoble), Sean O'Brien (retiring), Steve Mafi (joining Oyonnax) and Phil Cokanasiga (joining Leicester Tigers), the Exiles today confirmed that 72-cap Australian scrum-half Nick Phipps will also depart the Brentford Community Stadium at the end of the season, alongside 34-cap Scotland prop Allan Dell, seven-cap South Africa prop Marcel van der Merwe, Rory Brand and Cillian Redmond.
On top of that list, players who also joined the Exiles this season on short term injury cover, Olly Cracknell, Noel Reid, Jamie Dever, Tadgh McElroy and Alandré van Rooyen, will also leave.
With London Irish's chances of making the Gallagher Premiership top four extinguished, and with a bye week in the final round of the season this weekend, these players would have already played their final game in green.
“The players departing the Club leave with our thanks for everything that they have contributed to London Irish, both on and off the field,” said director of rugby Declan Kidney.
“With 37 first XV games played this season, it’s been a whole squad effort to get through over 3,000 minutes of rugby. There have been ups and downs, but this squad has stuck together through thick and thin and will come out the stronger for it. That is a testament to who they are as people, and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with every one of them.
“On behalf of everyone at London Irish, I would like to wish all the best to the departing players, staff and their families for the future. Like anybody leaving London Irish, they are always welcome at the Club.”
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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