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
- 2006/7 Season Preview -
Last time around: A late season surge, culminating in that extraordinary 57-39 victory at Wasps last April saw the Exiles reach the semi-finals of the Premiership, where the visit to gnarly old Leicester Tigers proved a step too far. But this was the team that wowed the neutrals by playing such adventurous rugby to get to where they wanted, mixing the youth and daring of Gonzalo Tiesi and Topsy Ojo with the inventiveness of Riki Flutey and the experience of Mike Catt - and all behind a pack of rugged old campaigners with the best line-out in the Premiership. Only a last-gasp try from James Forrester robbed them of European Challenge Cup glory - a showcase final between England's most promising teams. London Irish went from having the worst try-scoring record in the league in 2004/5 to the third-best last season.
This time? Now is the season of truth for the Exiles. Many of the older heads of the pack have gone, and so whether they will offer as much up front remains to be seen and is dependant on how the new signings integrate themselves. The late addition of Australia prop David Fitter is a cracking coup though, and will make a big difference. In the backs, the addition of Seilala Mapusua is possibly the single most exciting signing any English club has made in the close season, and adds the extra horsepower to the acceleration of a top-class backline. The Premiership semi-finals ought to be within their grasp, but sadly not a Heineken Cup quarter-final, with Lady Luck slapping the Exiles round the chops and sending them to Llanelli, Toulouse and Ulster.
Coach: Brian Smith enjoyed a superb first year in charge, maintaining the academy work done by predecessor Gary Gold and reaping the benefits almost immediately. 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.
Captain: With Ryan Strudwick gone, renaissance man Mike Catt takes full charge having enjoyed a season of inspiring form in the green shirt last season. His form earned him a spot on England's June tour to Australia, and such was his perceived and credited influence on the younger players at the Madejski that his name incessantly popped up whenever coaching spots were available. But having recently stated his ambition of another Rugby World Cup, it seems there will be one more swansong season for one of England's finest centres.
One to watch: Athletic loose forward Richard Thorpe graduated from the Exiles' academy to the professional squad this season, having represented England at every age-group level since U16. Unfortunate not to be in one of the England elite squads for the forthcoming season, the 21-year-old is one of the challengers to fill the role in the Exiles' squad previously occupied by the departing Kieron Dawson.
Final 2006/7 league position prediction: 3rd
totalbet.com prediction (29/8): 10/1 to finish first
In: Tonga Lea'aetoa (Pau), Aidan McCullen (Toulouse), James Hudson (Bath), Seilala Mapusua (Highlanders), Stuart Mackie (Nwecastle Falcons), Richie Rees (Ospreys), Stefon Armitage (Saracens)
Out: Kieron Dawson (Ulster), Paul Franze (Rugby League), Ryan Strudwick (Falcons, SA), Paul Gustard (Saracens), Ross Laidlaw (Saracens), Adrian Flavin (Connacht), Matt Banahan (Bath), Rodd Penney (Saracens), Darren Edwards (Leeds Tykes), Rob Hardwick (Coventry), James Storey (released).
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.
