1
Premiership club swoop for London Irish hot prospect and England Under 20 star Basham
By Alex Shaw
After a testing season that culminated in the club being relegated from the Aviva Premiership, London Irish have been dealt a further blow with the news that highly-touted prospect Josh Basham will be leaving the club.
The versatile back-rower, who can also cover the second-row, is currently in impressive form out in France with the England U20s side, but the club today announced that he will be leaving in the summer to focus on his studies and would be relocating as a result.
RugbyPass understands that Basham is set to study at Durham University, potentially paving the way for him to link up with Newcastle Falcons next season, a path also being trod by London Irish teammate Johnny Williams this offseason.
Following Newcastle’s march to the playoffs this past season and the fact they have two universities playing in the BUCS Super Rugby competition on their doorstep, they are fast becoming a desirable destination for up and coming talent, after years of struggling to retain their top players each summer.
Losing Basham is a significant blow for Irish, who have been battling their own player exodus issues over recent seasons and though the club’s academy’s impressive production line of back line players has helped keep their squad competitive, the output of homegrown forwards has not made the same impact.
Basham is arguably the most exciting forward to have come through the club’s pathway since Alex Corbisiero and would have been a foundation piece for the new-look coaching staff to build around.
The news isn’t all bad for Irish, however, with Basham’s England U20 teammates Ben Loader, Tom Parton, Matt Williams and Rory Brand all signing new senior academy deals with the club, as have fellow academy products Isaac Curtis-Harris, Jacob Atkins, Jack Cooke, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Sam Collingridge and Austin Hay.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully 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 comments