London Irish

Club Details

Madejski Stadium
Junction 11, M4
Reading
RG2 OFL
 
Stadium Capacity: 24,100 (all seated)
Website: www.london-irish.com
Founded: 1898

- 2007/8 Season Preview -

Last time around: The free-flowing attacking rugby 2005/6 was seemingly abandoned by London Irish last term. That campaign, their expansive style wowed the neutrals by playing adventurous rugby to get to where they wanted. But last season the Irish failed to make the play-offs in a disappointing campaign. However, they did unleash a new prodigious talent in Shane Geraghty and also the form Delon Armitage deserves a mention.

This time? The big question is, can the Irish make strides on the European stage? Pooled with Perpignan, Treviso and the Dragons could be viewed as favourable so you never know. The signing of England international Peter Richards is also a big coup as his style of play may benefit young Geraghty.

Director of Rugby: Brian Smith, a dual Australia and Ireland international fly-half, joined Irish in April 2005 having been lured away from Japanese club Ricoh, where he had been coach for a year. Smith will have a new coach on his panel for this season with Mike Catt now backs coach.

Captain: With Mike Catt now player/coach, lock Bob Casey will take charge of on-the-field matters this season. Overlooked by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, Casey is an integral cog of the London Irish pack and last season reached 100 appearances for the Reading club.

One to watch: Exciting fly-half Shane Geraghty graduated from the Exiles' academy to the professional squad in 2006/7, having represented England from U18 level. His superb form pre-Christmas was rewarded with a full international call-up during the RBS Six Nations, and he'll be looking to step up another level this year.

Final 2007/8 league position prediction: 6th
skybet.com prediction (04/9): 16/1 to finish first 

In: Tomas De Vedia (Saracens), Peter Richards (Gloucester), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps), Eoghan Hickey (Munster), Clarke Dermody (Otago), Peter Hewat (Waratahs).

Out: Barry Everritt (Northampton), Riki Flutey (Wasps).
 
Colours: Green and Navy Blue

Tickets: £7-32

Travel connections: The Madejski Stadium is right on the London - West M4, 45 minutes from Heathrow. Reading has a large train station with connections all over the UK, but the stadium is a long way out of the town centre.