London Irish 2014/15 Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

  Welcome to this seasons thread for talking about all things London Irish.  

Senior Squad (36)
Hooker: David Paice, Michael Mayhew, Jimmy Stevens 
Prop: Tom Court, Matt Parr, Johnny Harris, Geoff Cross, Halani Aulika, Leo Halavatau, Jamie Hagan
Second Row: George Skivington, Nic Rouse, Sean Cox, Dan Leo 
Back Row: Kieran Low, Blair Cowan, Jebb Sinclair, Ofisa Treviranus, Tom Guest, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen 
Scrum Half: Tomas O'Leary, Darren Allinson, Scott Steele 
Fly Half: Shane Geraghty, Myles Dorrian, Chris Noakes 
Centre: Eamonn Sheridan, Eoin Griffin, Guy Armitage, Fergus Mulchrone
Wing: Topsy Ojo, Andrew Fenby, James Short
Full Back: Tom Homer, Alex Lewington

Senior Academy Squad (11)
Hooker: Gerard Ellis, Ollie Adams 
Prop: Tom Smallbone, Richard Palframan 
Second Row: Ollie Curry, Theo Vukasinovic 
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy 
Centre: Ross Neal, Tom Fowlie
Wing: Harry Lightfoot-Brown 
Full Back: Cameron Cowell

Season Preview

After what can only be described as a disappointing 2013/14 season there is cause for some optimism as we approach the season.  For the first time in a number of seasons, there are more players coming in than leaving, and those arriving are bring with them international experience in varying amounts.  Of those who have gone, only Marland Yarde and James O'Connor would be guaranteed starters this season, and overall the squad looks stronger in terms of both the first XV and depth behind it.  

Up front international props Tom Court and Geoff Cross have joined the club, and Halani Aulika returns after missing the whole of last season through injury.  These three players could be key for us, as an improvement in the set piece will be required if we are to improve on our league position this season, and I am confident that these guys will see us right in that area.  Behind them the combative Sean Cox and powerful Dan Leo have also arrived and should bring the sort of physicality needed to be successful in the Premiership.  In the back row Tom Guest, Luke Narraway and Conor Gilsenan will give us options that we did not have last season, and hopefully Jon Fisher has now recovered from the concussion that saw him miss all of last season.  In short the pack looks far better equipped to provide a platform to play from this time around, and one or two injuries shouldn't hurt us as much as they have done over the last couple of seasons.

Behind the scrum Scott Steele has arrived and has been highly touted to challenge for 9 jersey, and Chris Noakes arrives from Super Rugby to challenge at 10.  Shane Geraghty however may have other ideas after finishing the season strongly in that jersey, but whatever happens, the competition for places can only be good for the team moving forwards.  Eoin Griffin arrives from Connacht in the centres, and looks to be a very good player.  With all of the four senior centres able to play 12 or 13 there could well be some mixing and matching and horses for courses selections over the season, and that is not to mention Tom Fowlie in the academy, who impressed every time he put on the jersey last season, be it at centre or on the wing.  James Short arrives to bolster the wing options and is a proven finisher who the fans will hope can fill the hole left by the outgoing Marland Yarde.

From the academy, Gerard Ellis, Tom Smallbone and Tom Fowlie should get some extended game time this season.  Ellis in particular impressed at the back end of last season and has spent the summer in Australia to assist with honing his skills at hooker, and Smallbone has been in New Zealand playing club rugby and continuing his development as prop by working on his skills with the father of All Black props Owen and Ben Franks.

Whilst we will most definitely be a better side this season than last, it is fair to say that most other sides have also recruited well and will be stronger than last time around.  After a very poor start in 2013 we spent the majority of the year in the relegation scrap, and lost a lot of games by narrow margins.  The key for us will be turning those narrow losses into narrow victories if we want to finish higher than last season, and I think we have recruited well enough to do that.  We must start the season better though, and that won't be easy as we play all of last seasons top four in our first six games.  We will have to raise our game immediately, although it is fair to say that some of our best performances last season came against those sides, and we should be able to draw from those performances this time around.  

I fancy us to steer reasonably clear of the relegation scrap this time around and improve on last years finishing position.  Whatever happens though, one thing will always remain true, and that's I'd rather be a paddy than Quin!!!       

Ozzy's prediction: 8th

Fixture List

Day	Date	KO	Opponents	Venue	Competition	Result
Sat	6th Sep 14	16.30	Harlequins	Twickenham	Aviva Premiership	L 15-20    (7th)
Sun	14th Sep 14	15.00	Newcastle Falcons	Kingston Park	Aviva Premiership	W 20-18   (7th)
Sat	20th Sep 14	15.00	Saracens	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership	L 23-36    (8th)
Sat	27th Sep 14	15.00	Leicester Tigers	Welford Road	Aviva Premiership	W 22-19    (6th)
Sat	4th Oct 14	15.00	Northampton Saints	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	11th Oct 14	15.00	Exeter Chiefs	Sandy Park	Aviva Premiership
Sun	19th Oct 14	15:00	TBC	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
Fri	24th Oct 14	19:30	FC Grenoble	Stade Lesdiguières	European Challenge Cup
	TBC		Leicester Tigers	Madejski Stadium	LV Cup
	TBC		Wasps	Adams Park	LV Cup
Sat	15th Nov 14	14.00	Sale Sharks	Salford City Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	22nd Nov 14	15.00	Bath Rugby	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sun	30th Nov 14	15.00	Gloucester	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
			Cardiff Blues	BT Sport Arms Park	European Challenge Cup
			Cardiff Blues	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
Sun	21st Dec 14	14.00	Wasps	Adams Park	Aviva Premiership
Fri	26th Dec 14	15.00	London Welsh	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	3rd Jan 15	15.00	Saracens	Aliianz Park	Aviva Premiership
Sun	11th Jan 15	15.00	Exeter Chiefs	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
			FC Grenoble	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
			TBC		European Challenge Cup
	TBC		Scarlets	Parc y Scarlets	LV Cup
	TBC		Newcastle Falcons	Madejski Stadium	LV Cup
Sat	14th Feb 15	15.00	Northampton Saints	Franklins Gardens	Aviva Premiership
Sat	21st Feb 15	15.00	Leicester Tigers	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	28th Feb 15	14.30	London Welsh	Kassam Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	7th Mar 15	15.00	Harlequins	The Stoop	Aviva Premiership
					LV Cup Semi Final
					LV Cup Final
Sat	28th Mar 15	15.00	Newcastle Falcons	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Quarter Final
Sun	12th Apr 15	15.00	Sale Sharks	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Semi Final
Sat	25th Apr 15	15.00	Bath Rugby	The Rec	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Final
Sat	9th May 15	15.00	Gloucester	Kingsholm	Aviva Premiership
Sat	16th May	15.00	Wasps	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premership

Links

Official website
The Craic
Wikipedia page
London Irish ARFC
London Irish Supporters Club website

London Irish RFC Twitter feed
RugbyLI Twitter feed
LISC Twitter feed

[SirBurger]

Awesome - can't wait!

[SirBurger]

Just noticed this interesting comment in the original post: 'Smallbone has been in New Zealand playing club rugby and continuing his development as prop by working on his skills with the father of All Black props Owen and Ben Franks.'

Not sure we quite appreciated the significance of that at the time...

[Ozzy3213]

Indeed. Rumour on The Craic of player announcements on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I knew we were announcing one this week, three just seems greedy!!!

[SirBurger]

Indeed.  Rumour on The Craic of player announcements on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  I knew we were announcing one this week, three just seems greedy!!!  

Yea, I saw that too - can't wait to see who we have in store. If they are even close to being in the same league as the two we have already announced, our squad will be shaping up nicely for next season.

[Ozzy3213]

Brendan McKibbin from the Waratahs announced this morning

[Majestic83]

Brendan McKibbin from the Waratahs announced this morning

Decent signing for LI, watched him a lot playing for the Waratahs and he is a very gritty scrum half with a very quick pass on him but can break himself and is strong in defence. The other plus point is that he is a very good goal kicker. He is Scottish born and hasn't been capped by Australia. I know Glasgow tried to get him a couple years ago but he chose to stay in Australia at the time.

[George Carlin]

Brendan McKibbin from the Waratahs announced this morning

Decent signing for LI, watched him a lot playing for the Waratahs and he is a very gritty scrum half with a very quick pass on him but can break himself and is strong in defence. The other plus point is that he is a very good goal kicker. He is Scottish born and hasn't been capped by Australia. I know Glasgow tried to get him a couple years ago but he chose to stay in Australia at the time.

Very high quality signing indeed - he would have been capped by the Wallabies by now, but for Genia and Phipps.
Irish kicking some arse in the transfer market, recently.

[SirBurger]

Always nice when fans from other clubs think that a signing is a good one. As a fan, I think you can tend to get caught up in the excitement and think that whoever is announced is going to be a world beater, regardless of their quality (I know I do). Endorsement from fans that are neutral is very reassuring.

[Ozzy3213]

Agree totally with that SirBurger. We all get very excited when players are announced, so a neutral take on them is great.

Pretty pleased with the guys we've signed, and with Tom Coventry leading the way in terms of playing style I really to expect to see us focusing on a running attacking game and high intensity defence.

Big Bob also seems to be going great guns as the figurehead leading up recruitment. Exciting times ahead hopefully for all of us London Irish fans.

[Driver]

McKibben is a top buy , I'm green with envy as a Falcons fan given that we've just signed Micky Young back.

[Radox For Men]

Hi all,

First post after being a long time lurker. Joining now due a combination of seeking a means to avoid revision and the fact that there might actually be positive things to say about LI at the moment

Maitland and Franks are obviously great signings, can't say I know much about McKibbin though, was he first choice at Waratahs?

[SirBurger]

Hi all,

First post after being a long time lurker. Joining now due a combination of seeking a means to avoid revision and the fact that there might actually be positive things to say about LI at the moment

Maitland and Franks are obviously great signings, can't say I know much about McKibbin though, was he first choice at Waratahs?

Welcome Radox!

McKibben has been first choice at the Waratahs for the last few years, although in 2014 Phipps overtook him. He is a very good player though, with decent service and he is an excellent goal-kicker. One of the things I like most about him though is his abrasiveness - he has real 'dog' about him and bosses his pack around well - a very underestimated skill in my book. I think he will complement Steele really well and they will have a really good tussle for the shirt.

[Radox For Men]

Hi all,

First post after being a long time lurker. Joining now due a combination of seeking a means to avoid revision and the fact that there might actually be positive things to say about LI at the moment

Maitland and Franks are obviously great signings, can't say I know much about McKibbin though, was he first choice at Waratahs?

Welcome Radox!

McKibben has been first choice at the Waratahs for the last few years, although in 2014 Phipps overtook him. He is a very good player though, with decent service and he is an excellent goal-kicker. One of the things I like most about him though is his abrasiveness - he has real 'dog' about him and bosses his pack around well - a very underestimated skill in my book. I think he will complement Steele really well and they will have a really good tussle for the shirt.

Thanks for the info! Definitely no shame in being second choice to Phipps, sounds a very encouraging signing. I think Steele has been pretty good this year, with some games better than others, sometimes can try to snipe when it's not really on IMO. But by the sounds of things McKibben for the first 60 with Steele on to inject some pace in the last 20 could work well.

General consensus seems to be that we need a new 10. I'm actually a big fan of Geraghty, but I think he can struggle with the burden of being the only creative player and start forcing things, especially since Treviranus aside, we lack ball carriers to set up a good platform. If McKibben is a good goal kicker I'd be happy to have Geraghty as 1st choice with Dorrian on the bench. I'd prefer we signed a quality centre (ideally a younger clone of Mapusua), I suppose Waldouck could be a decent solution if he fulfills the promise he was showing earlier in his career.

[Ozzy3213]

If we could clone Mapusua it would be like all of my Christmases come at once. That guy is a legend, one of the best ever to wear our club badge on his chest. If we could sign a centre who was even half the player and person that Maps is/was then I'd be happy.

[Ozzy3213]

The club are pushing for the quarter final to be on the Sunday.

[SirBurger]

The club are pushing for the quarter final to be on the Sunday.

Personally not ideal for me - would still make it - but would just peeve the family right off .

[SirBurger]

If we could clone Mapusua it would be like all of my Christmases come at once.  That guy is a legend, one of the best ever to wear our club badge on his chest.  If we could sign a centre who was even half the player and person that Maps is/was then I'd be happy.

If we ever see a player of his ilk again we will be extremely lucky - an absolute legend.

Waldouck could be a decent signing. He has always been extremely talented and more importantly, for me, really solid in defence. I won't be too disheartened if we sign him instead of a big name Southern Hemisphere player for two major reasons:

1. We cannot only sign foreigners. We have to at least try and stick to the EQP requirements as much as possible.

2. Signing him, instead of a big name international, will mean more game time for the batch of youngsters coming through in the academy and below, who represent some of the best talent we have seen in a while. Fowlie, Johnny Williams and Matt Williams all look like future internationals to me. If we add experience around the midfield at half back and in the back three, as well as putting out a bolstered pack, I have no issue in giving these guys far more game time next season. Fowlie has already shown he has the temperament for the big occasion and I am sure the others will follow suit.

[Ozzy3213]

Agree entirely with all you say there SB.  

We are limited for the quarter final to the Thursday or Sunday as our contract with reading says we cannot play in the 36 hours preceeding a Reading game, and they kick off at 3pm on Saturday I believe.

[SirBurger]

I actually think Matt Williams has another year at Wellington come to think of it - but he's electric.

[SirBurger]

Someone on the Craic saying Andy Goode...

[Margin_Walker]

Andy Goode always seems to have a field day against us, so at least he'd be on our side for a change. Wouldn't be the worst option on a one year deal.

Feels like we are starting to see a good crop of youngsters on the horizon after a few lean years (1 player involved in the England U20s has to be considered under par really). Saw this nice try by Curtis Langdon posted today from the weekend:

http://inattheside.com/video-curtis-langdon-try-london-irish-u18s-v-bristol-u18s-2/

And a recent RP article on him:

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/20469/young-gun-curtis-langdon-st-pauls-london-irish-hooker/

[Ozzy3213]

We have spoken to Andy Goode as well as another 10. Goode would be a decent short term option.

[SirBurger]

Andy Goode always seems to have a field day against us, so at least he'd be on our side for a change. Wouldn't be the worst option on a one year deal.

Feels like we are starting to see a good crop of youngsters on the horizon after a few lean years (1 player involved in the England U20s has to be considered under par really). Saw this nice try by Curtis Langdon posted today from the weekend:

http://inattheside.com/video-curtis-langdon-try-london-irish-u18s-v-bristol-u18s-2/

And a recent RP article on him:

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/20469/young-gun-curtis-langdon-st-pauls-london-irish-hooker/

Inattheside had 35 minute highlights of that game up earlier. I was going to give them a watch but they seem to have been taken down now. I got the first 5 minutes though. Watson looked sharp around the fringes, but needs some work on his box kicking and delivery. Matt Williams at 13 (I am assuming it was him) is absolutely rapid. Curtis-Harris at 8 looked good with decent hands. The best bit was hearing Dec and Mather in the background discussing the game!

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, I wondered about that. Saw them Tweet earlier with the highlights, but just got an error when I went back to try and watch them later. They had a good Watson try up the other day of him breaking from the base of the scrum.

[Ozzy3213]

This crop of U18/AASE players has some real prospects in it. Curtis Langdon looks very good and Isaac Curtis-Harris is extremely highly rated by the coaches. Callum Watson is a little rough around the edges but exiting to watch, much like his older brothers. Matt Williams looks very good, and dare I say it Johnny Williams looks even better. The crown jewel however could be Theo Brophy-Clews who was playing for England U18's whilst still officially an U17 player, and looks at this stage to be potentially a world class player.

If these guys can develop and we can keep them and add them to established quality within the squad, the next decade could be an exceptional time in the clubs history.

[Margin_Walker]

Agree that Theo Brophy-Clews is a massive prospect. In terms of planning for the club; the aim has be to get to the point where a high performance environment (initially through investment in Franks/Maitland type players + Coventry + Hazelwood etc) is in place that will ensure enough of them stick around after graduating from the Senior Academy in the next 3-4 years.

[SirBurger]

I doubt we are going to see any news today, as the club seem to have been enjoying their early morning announcements lately.

Anyway, it sounds like Goode, Waldouck and Trayfoot are fairly close to being done deals. Reasonably happy with all three - all perform a specific function and I can see Trayfoot pushing hard for a starting spot, depending on if we bring anyone else into the back row.

After those guys, the main slots left to fill for me are at second row. 2 x brutes would be most welcome to allow Skivington an occasional day off.

[Ozzy3213]

Indeed.  Rumour on The Craic of player announcements on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  I knew we were announcing one this week, three just seems greedy!!!  

I did suspect that announcements three days running might be a bit much!

[SirBurger]

Trayfoot confirmed in TRP with quotes from him and Bob, so more or less official. I guess it will be confirmed tomorrow.

Interesting edition of the Blarney podcast. Featured an interview with Bob on the new signings so far and on TC. He spoke very highly of Coventry's character being one of the most essential reasons in bringing him in. Franks will basically be the Academy's Strength and Conditioning Coach by the sounds of it, doing evening work with them. McKibbin flew over from Australia to check out the facilities and is desperate to win things with us according to BBC. Maitland very much spoke of by Bob as a 15, the right age profile and the ultimate professional. He also mentioned his ability to also play 13, which I must admit I wasn't aware of.

Bob said this was year 2 of a 5 year plan to get us back into the Top 4. He said that the objective for this year was to establish a 'spine' to the side. McKibbin crucial to that apparently, as although we have very good 9s, having one with experience and the extra ability to kick goals will be incredibly useful.

Worth a listen.

[SirBurger]

Also he spoke briefly about Rovigo and said how lucky we were to have George as Captain, but also leaders like Shane and Ofisa. Must admit I never really had Ofisa down as much of a leader - I imagine he meant more leading by example rather than by words ...

[SirBurger]

Faint rumours of Paddy Butler joining from Munster, although he looks more likely to go to Pau.

[Ozzy3213]

I meant to have a listen to the podcast over the weekend, but ran out of time. Will try to have a listen tonight when I'm home from work.

Paddy Butler is a decent player, but I'm not sure we need him. He is primarily an 8 who can play 6 as well, and we have a few of them. There are other areas that I'd like to see us strengthen in first to be honest.

[Ozzy3213]

Joe Trayfoot confirmed.... http://www.london-irish.com/h/news/joe-trayfoot-signs-for-london-irish/bp257/

[SirBurger]

Nice, really happy with that, especially after reading O'Shea's comments ...

Agree with you on Butler - if we are to add another Number 8 then for me it would have to be a really top option who can provide something we don't already have. Otherwise the cash is probably best spent elsewhere.

[Ozzy3213]

Connor Murphy, Ross Neal and Ollie Curry all sign academy contract extensions.  More great news.

[SirBurger]

Great news for those three guys. Curry looks like a real prospect at 6 and we all know what Murphy can do. Neal is really physical and although I'm not sure he possesses the x-factor of Fowlie or Williams, together with those two I'm satisfied that we don't need to invest heavily at centre. Someone like Waldouck will do nicely. Time to give these young talents a go there.

You have to wonder whether it means Adams, Lightfoot-Brown, Cowell and Vukasinovic will be moving on though...

[Ozzy3213]

Ollie Adams has had a fairly serious injury, so it may be that they are delaying offering anything else until after he returns.  In terms of skills I like him a lot, but he's not the biggest in all honesty, and that may count against him.  Likewise Cam Cowell, who I think is a cracking little player, with a gret step and serious gas.  But he is very small, and to make it at the top level at his size, you need to be world class.  it may be that the club are not prepared to take a punt on him reaching that level.

Harry Lightfoot-Brown I haven't seen enough of really to offer an opinion, but I would hope that Theo Vukasinovic gets another year, as he's always looked a decent prosepct to me, but he will need to bulk up a fair bit if he's going to make it as  Premiership lock/back row.

[Ozzy3213]

I really hope that Curry, Murphy and Neal are involved in the matchday 23 this weekend along with Theo Brophy-Clews again.

[George Carlin]

Lend us a quid, Ozzy.

You boys are loaded. Apparently.

[SirBurger]

Yea agree with you on all of that. Cowell looks more suited to 7s perhaps, although it would be a shame if the modern 15s game couldn't find space for him.

[SirBurger]

The other forum is linking us to Charlie Walker. Reliable source apparently.

[Ozzy3213]

I've not heard anything about us signing Walker, that's not to say it's not happening, but I would be a little surprised

[SirBurger]

I've not heard anything about us signing Walker, that's not to say it's not happening,  but I would be a little surprised

So would I. Not sure it is exactly an area that we need to be bolstering, although he is a talented player.

[SirBurger]

Regarding selection for this weekend, as much as I would like to see the young lads get some game time, I actually think we need to really build momentum at home, especially with the European QF coming up. I would therefore go for a bit of a mixture and re-introduce some starters and go for a strong bench. For me:

Harris (I am assuming Parr is injured)
Stevens
Halavatau
Sinclair
Rouse
Low
Gilsenan
Guest

O'Leary
Dorrian
Short
Griffin
Fowlie
Ojo
Fenby

Bench: Mayhew, Palframan (assuming Smallbone still out), Aulika, Cox, Treviranus, Steele, Geraghty, Mulchrone

[Ozzy3213]

I agree we need to build momentum, but I do think we also need to balance that with giving the youngsters some experience, particularly those players that we know are staying next season. I would be looking at something alon the lines of...

15. Andrew Fenby
14. Topsy Ojo
13. Tom Fowlie
12. Eoin Griffin
11. James Short
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Connor Murphy

1. Jonny Harris
2. Michael Mayhew
3. Leo Halavatau
4. Sean Cox
5. Dan Leo
6. Jebb Sinclair
7. Conor Gilsenan
8. Tom Guest

16. Jimmy Stevens 17. Tom Smallbone/Richard Palframan 18. Halani Aulika 19. Theo Vukasinovic 20. Ollie Curry 21. Darren Allinson 22. Theo Brophy-Clews 23. Ross Neal

[LeinsterFan4life]

How is Gilsenan getting on with you guys? He was very highly rated over here before he left.

[SirBurger]

How is Gilsenan getting on with you guys? He was very highly rated over here before he left.

He has looked good whenever he has played. He would certainly be in my 23 albeit on the bench. I think he has had a couple of niggling injuries and the coaches, for some reason, usually seem to prefer other options on the bench.

[SirBurger]

Matt Symons in talks with us according to Declan Danaher. I really hope we seal this one.

[Ozzy3213]

Where have you read about Dec saying that SB?

[SirBurger]

Sorry, on my phone so can't do the link, but it is on BBC Rugby.

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