London Irish 2016/17 Championship Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

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

Senior Squad (39)

Technical Director: Brendan Venter
Director of Rugby: Nick Kennedy
Assistant Coach: Clark Laidlaw
Forwards Coach: George Skivington
Defence Coach: Declan Danaher
Skills Coach: Paul Hodgson

Hooker: David Paice, Gerard Ellis, David Porecki, Jason Harris-Wright, Todd Gleave (dual registered with Rosslyn Park).
Prop: Tom Court, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Smallbone, Ben Franks, Richard Palframan, Ollie Hoskins.
Second Row: Sebastien de Chaves, Jerry Sexton, Jebb Sinclair, George Robson, Will Lloyd.
Back Row: Blair Cowan, Ofisa Treviranus, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen, Joe Trayfoot, Mike Coman, Max Northcote-Green, Senitiki Nayalo.
Scrum Half: Brendan McKibbin, Scott Steele, Darren Allinson (on loan to Bath).
Fly Half: Greig Tonks, Tommy Bell, Theo Brophy-Clews.
Centre: Johnny Williams, Fergus Mulchrone, Ciaran Hearn, Tom Fowlie
Back Three: Topsy Ojo, Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoirotuama, James Marshall, Ben Ransom


Senior Academy Squad (12)

Hooker: Matt Kouris (dual registered with Esher)
Prop: Harry Elrington (dual registered with Rosslyn Park), Austin Hay (Academy Plus)
Back Row: Isaac Curtis-Harris (dual registered with Esher), Jack Cooke (Academy Plus)
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy, Rory Brand (dual registered with Rosslyn Park)
Fly Half: Tom Parton
Centre: Ross Neal, Matt Williams
Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Jacob Atkins


Fixture List

Date	Time	Opponents	H/A	Venue	Competition	Result	Scorers
Sat 13th Aug	15:00	Harlequins	A	The Stoop	Friendly	W 28-12	T: Cowan, Neal, Nayolo, Atkins  C: Bell 3, Tonks.
Fri 19th Aug	19:30	Nottingham	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 43-14
Fri 26th Aug	19:30	Loughborough Students	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 46-21
Sat 3rd Sep	15:00	Doncaster Knights	H	MadStad	Championship	W 19-0	T: Fowlie, Tikoroituma  P: Bell 3.
Sat 10th Sep	15:00	Richmond	H	MadStad	Championship	W 36-12	T: Paice, Cowan 2, Ellis, McKibbin, Elrington. C: Bell 3.
Sat 17th Sep	15:00	Bedford Blues	A	Goldington Road	Championship	W 30-23	T: Franks, Williams, Ojo, Northcote-Green. C: Bell 2. P: Bell 2.
Sun 25th Sep	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	H	MadStad	Championship	W 32-12	T: Ransom, Trayfoot, Marshall, Steele C:Bell, Marshall 2 P:Bell 2.
Fri 30th Sep	19:45	Nottingham	A	LadyBay Sports	Championship	W 29-7	T: Steele Tikoroituma Northcote-Green Mulchrone C:Bell 3 P:Bell.
Sat 8th Oct	15:00	London Welsh	H	MadStad	Championship	W 35-12	T: Mulchrone, Paice, de Chaves, McKibbin. C: Bell. 3 P: Bell 3.
Sat 15th Oct	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	A	The Gnoll	B & I Cup	W 25-14	T: Neal, Ransom, Nayalo, Palframan.  C: Tonks.  P: Tonks.
Sat 22nd Oct	15:00	Connacht Eagles	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 34-3	T: Elrington, Hoskins, Harris-Wright, Parton, Cokanasiga.  C: Tonks 3 P: Tonks.
Sat 29th Oct	15:00	London Scottish	A	RAG	Championship	W 62-12	T: Paice, McKibbin, Cokanasiga, Bell 2, Tikoirotuma, Steele, Cowan C: Bell 8, P: Bell 2.
Sat 5th Nov	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	H	MadStad	Championship	W 41-17	T: Ransom 2, Tikoirotuma, Marshall 2. C: Bell 5. P: Bell 2.
Sat 19th Nov	13:00	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	Championship	W 35-24	T: Ransom 2, Franks 2, Northcote-Green  C: Marshall 2.  P: Tonks 2.
Sun 27th Nov	15:00	Jersey Reds	H	MadStad	Championship	W 42-29	T: Ransom, Paice 2, Palframan, Fowlie  C: Bell 4  P: Bell 2  DG: Bell.
Sat 3rd Dec	14:00	Rotherham Titans	A	Clifton Lane	Championship	W 38-10	T: Cokanasiga 2, Bell 2, Steele.  C: Bell 5  P: Bell.
Sun 11th Dec	15:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 33-24	T: Atkins, Gilsenan, Porecki, Nayalo, M.Williams.  C: Tonks 4.
Sat 17th Dec	14:30	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	B & I Cup
Sat 24th Dec	15:00	Richmond	A	RAG	Championship
Sat 31st Dec	15:00	Bedford Blues	H	MadStad	Championship
13/14/15 Jan		Connacht Eagles	A		B & I Cup
Sat 21st Jan	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	H	MadStad	B & I Cup
Sat 28th Jan	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	A	Vallis Way	Championship
Sun 5th Feb	14:00	Nottingham	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 18th Feb	14:00	London Welsh	A	Old Deer Park	Championship
Sat 25th Feb	15:00	London Scottish	H	MadStad	Championship
Sun 5th Mar	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	A	Headingley	Championship
Sat 18th Mar	14:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 25th Mar	14:00	Jersey Reds	A	St Peter	Championship
Sat 8th Apr	15:00	Rotherham Titans	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 15th Apr	15:00	Doncaster Knights	A	Castle Park	Championship

Season Preview

Well it's been an interesting summer in the aftermath of relegation.  It was clear from the outset that we would lose some players and would have to cut our cloth accordingly.  Initially it appeared that Tom Coventry was staying, but a late u-turn from him meant a new coaching set up was required.  New coaches, loss of big names, new players to integrate, sounds like a recipe for disaster, and we've certainly been there many times over the past few years.  This however, does not feel like that at all.  Perhaps it's because we are a league down, but there is real optimism around, primarily because of those things.  The holy trinity of Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson have been promoted to the first team after overseeing a successful academy season last year, and have Brendan Venter overseeing them as technical director.  This is exciting.  A proven winner overseeing a young, hungry and exciting coaching team.  On the playing side, the main losses being Matt Symons and Sean Maitland are more than offset by the likes of George Robson, James Marshall and Tommy Bell coming in.  If anything it feels as if we may have a stronger squad this year than we've had for the past 4 or 5.

Two games into pre season and things look positive.  Comfortably beating an admittedly understrength Quins, and a high scoring win against Nottingham have given plenty of optimism for the season ahead.  There were still defensive lapses, which will need to be ironed out, but barring complacency or an absolute stinker in terms of form, we should have more than enough to comfortably make the dreaded play offs, where it then becomes a test of mental strength rather than ability.


Ozzy'sprediction: Champions

[Ozzy3213]

Mixed reaction to Narraway extending over on The Craic.

For what it's worth I think it's good news. If we're looking at a younger age profile to the squad next season (which the club have openly stated that we are), then his experience could be crucial.

[SirBurger]

Mixed reaction to Narraway extending over on The Craic.

For what it's worth I think it's good news.  If we're looking at a younger age profile to the squad next season (which the club have openly stated that we are), then his experience could be crucial.  

Hard to be disappointed by your Captain signing on for another year, but unfortunately I am. First and foremost, this is the side that has got us relegated and we need to see improvements somewhere. Narraway has been a big part of a series of very poor back-row performances. He has had the odd game where he has won a couple of turnovers, but overall he misses tackles, commits errors at the breakdown, fails to make ground going forward and regularly ends up forcing the offload and passing the ball in to touch. In terms of playing ability, I just think we can do a lot better. Relegation would have been the perfect opportunity to replace him with the ball-carrier we are missing. Now obviously I know we are hindered slightly in that regard by the fact that we are dropping down a league, but even another Championship Number 8 whose game is fairly limited, but can get us over the gainline would have been a sounder investment as a back up to Trev.

I also don't really know whether his experience and 'leadership' is what we need. He has done a capable job stepping in for Skivs this season, but ultimately (and linked to the point above) the Captain needs to be one of the best players on the park. He simply isn't. And yes, experience in and of itself is useful in a young squad, but we are still likely to have Court, Paice, Skivington, Symons, Coman, Tonks, Ojo in the squad whatever happens in terms of relegation. For me, that is a solid core of experience to add the youth around.

I hope this doesn't seem too negative. Obviously I don't see much of Narraway behind the scenes. He seems like a top bloke, but I would have liked to have seen a younger, more abrasive back-rower brought in. Hard for me to be too excited by this one I am afraid.

[Margin_Walker]

And Robinson! Who'd I'd have ahead of Barrow tbh.

Nah.

I'd have a wheelbarrow above Barrow on today's showing...

In other news, TRP linking

Franks with a move to France
Lewington with Sale
Maitland with Gloucester

[Heaf]

Can't be right - who are Bath taking?

[Jimpy]

You do realise that if Bedford win the Championship play-offs, then LI will not be relegated. Bedford have refused an audit on their ground and therefore it will not be up to code by default.

[Heaf]

Big If though ...

[Ozzy3213]

Well it appears the fat lady has sung her song and it’s the Championship for us next season. Hopefully we will turn it into a positive new beginning for the club. I heard a few things yesterday, none official, but from reliable sources, about next season.

1. There will be no Championship play offs, whoever finishes top will be going up.
2. James Marshall is definitely coming next season.
3. Fenby and Guest are off.
4. Coaching staff will be cut in numbers (I’m guessing Rich Whiffin is likely to go).

So long as Bristol go up this year, and we keep the core of our squad together, then no play offs should suit us. The plan has to be get a decent start, get well ahead and enable us to be almost guaranteed promotion by January, then start recruiting for the following season.

As an aside I thought Theo Brophy-Clews was excellent yesterday, and a well deserved man of the match. He needs to be getting a huge amount of game time next season in order to develop and be ready to play regularly at Premiership level the following season.

[Margin_Walker]

Oh well. Onwards and upwards and all that. A real shame that we let ourselves down defensively as we had enough possession to get a result there. Table doesn't lie though and we deserve to go down. Agree on Theo, he looks like he's going to be a superb player. Really important that both him and Williams get plenty of gametime next season. Which will actually be interesting to see how they work things as there will actually be more competition for both shirts with Marshall, Bell, Symons (who has been looking very good over the last couple of weeks) around.

On the other points:
1. Heard a few whispers about this. Good to see it gaining momentum. Championship is a tough league, but I would rather have the certainty of knowing you just have to finish top.
2. Good news.
3. Not a great surprise
4. Guess that's inevitable really. Would expect that Doorey may also be under a bit of pressure.

[Ozzy3213]

Certainly if, as we are lead to believe, Grant Doorey is responsible for coaching defence, then his place in the coaching set up has to be under review, as at times we’ve looked shambolic in that area. The no play off thing I was told by someone involved at the RFU whose word I am prepared to take as gospel. Apparently there are also some changes to the Premiership coming in as well.

[George Carlin]

Heartbroken for Irish. 

I understand that Fenby is off. Any more chat on Maitland to the Cherries (or elsewhere)?

[Ozzy3213]

I've not heard anything concrete about Maitland George, but I would suspect that he and Blair Cowan would be actively seeking moves away, given they have realistic current international ambitions. That said, neither have shown anywhere near international class for us this season, and I don't think many Irish fans will be lamenting losing them, which in the case of Cowan is a real shame as in previous seasons he has been a firm fans favourite.

[Driver]

Neither Maitland or Cowen deserve a move too the premiership from what i'v seen of them in an Irish jersey this year.

What's the current state of the Irish academy? There tends too be a few good eggs in there normally and that could be the foundation of Irish moving forward.

[Welly]

Neither Maitland or Cowen deserve a move too the premiership from what i'v seen of them in an Irish jersey this year.

What's the current state of the Irish academy? There tends too be a few good eggs in there normally and that could be the foundation of Irish moving forward.

Whilst not an irish fan so not fully in the know but from the outside Irish academy look the best it has looked for some time.

Won the U18 league this season.

Wonder if Irish will go down the Wuss road a bit as well and target squad players who are 23/24 who have shown promise early on but are not getting game time.

[Margin_Walker]

The academy one area of the club that is not an issue. Brophy Clews and Williams are both great prospects and should be around next year. Our U18s went unbeaten this year and won the championship, with a good number of those likely to have been handed Senior Academy contracts next season. The likes of Kennedy, Hodgson and Danaher have really invigorated the setup and given it a real sense of identity again.

Vital that we bounce back straight away though as we need to give ourselves a chance of keeping hold of these kids.

[Margin_Walker]

Neither Maitland or Cowen deserve a move too the premiership from what i'v seen of them in an Irish jersey this year.

What's the current state of the Irish academy? There tends too be a few good eggs in there normally and that could be the foundation of Irish moving forward.

Whilst not an irish fan so not fully in the know but from the outside Irish academy look the best it has looked for some time.

Won the U18 league this season.

Wonder if Irish will go down the Wuss road a bit as well and target squad players who are 23/24 who have shown promise early on but are not getting game time.

It's a definite focus. Our signings so far are almost all in their early twenties. The average age of the squad is likely to be much lower next season.

[George Carlin]

Neither Maitland or Cowen deserve a move too the premiership from what i'v seen of them in an Irish jersey this year.

It's always very hard to judge how good a player is on a personal basis when the team is regularly losing. 

Maitland has clearly not been fully fit for a season now and he was always up against it at Glasgow trying to unseat Stuart Hogg from the box seat at 15. Hopefully he can fully recover his health and get his mojo back in the off-season because I still think that he is a test class player.

I'm not sure whether he would contemplate a move back to Glasgow given the giant gap left by Taqele Naiyaravoro but with Tommy Seymour being consistently one of the best wingers in the league and the incoming Leonardo Sarto looking sharp at sh!t for Italy he would struggle to start. I think that Gloucester would be a good move for him.

Cowan I am in two minds about. I am not sure that he really has a look-in internationally any more with the emergence of John Hardie as being a class above any other openside we have (and he has to be top 3 in the NH for me), John Barclay being welcomed back into the fold as a 6 and a half and our monstrous Saffer project player Cornell du Preez becoming SQ in September. Cowan is a very good player and I think would be a good buy for a club because he is near test class but should be available during international windows.

[SirBurger]

Well it appears the fat lady has sung her song and it’s the Championship for us next season.  Hopefully we will turn it into a positive new beginning for the club.  I heard a few things yesterday, none official, but from reliable sources, about next season.

1. There will be no Championship play offs, whoever finishes top will be going up.
2. James Marshall is definitely coming next season.
3. Fenby and Guest are off.
4. Coaching staff will be cut in numbers (I’m guessing Rich Whiffin is likely to go).

So long as Bristol go up this year, and we keep the core of our squad together, then no play offs should suit us.  The plan has to be get a decent start, get well ahead and enable us to be almost guaranteed promotion by January, then start recruiting for the following season.

As an aside I thought Theo Brophy-Clews was excellent yesterday, and a well deserved man of the match.  He needs to be getting a huge amount of game time next season in order to develop and be ready to play regularly at Premiership level the following season.

Pretty much agree with what Margin has said in response to these four points. Delighted that Marshall is coming. He is a class player and a backline leader which is something we have probably been lacking. His versatility will also prove to be very useful, although I expect he will start at 10. I do wonder with Bell, Tonks and Theo also around though, whether we are a bit oversubscribed in that position (even with Shane likely to go). My preference would be to allow Tonks to look elsewhere as Theo needs to be given plenty of game time on the back of yesterday, even if he isn't the finished article yet.

On the coaching side we need to make some changes, although I am now inclined (contrary to what I said a few weeks ago) to stick with Tom. I think Laidlaw has made some positive steps with the attack (admittedly not brilliant though) and I am keen to see how he goes with Marshall running the show, and the extra power of Symons in the midfield. Doorey though has to go for me. The defence just hasn't been aggressive enough or well-structured enough. He had a poor record at the Blues and I think another defence coach coming in, who has experience of the English game would be positive. I am really against the idea of breaking the academy coaching set-up up, but having said that I wouldn't be adverse to one of them (Dec) coming into that defence coach role, as long as 2 of the other 3 remain.

Two things that I still want clarification on as soon as possible. The first of these is which of the current squad are definitely staying and who is going. Narraway has said in the BBC article that he thinks most are staying, but I expect a few to go. Sadly, the two who I am keenest to see stick around (Symons and Lewington) are likely to be off. Secondly, a positive announcement on the incoming academy talent would be most welcome. The likes of Brand, Parton and Cokanasiga would be positive additions to the backline options and would give fans something to get excited about. Anyway, regardless of the above, it does sound like we will still have a decent squad next season. Even with the departure of some bigger name players, I expect we can still put out as a minimum the following:

1. Smallbone
2. Paice
3. Hoskins
4. Skivington
5. De Chaves
6. Coman
7. Northcote-Green
8. Treviranus

9. Steele
10. Marshall
11. Tikoirotuma
12. Williams
13. Symons
14. Ojo
15. Bell

Bench: Ellis, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Palframan, Sheriff, Narraway, Allinson, Brophy-Clews, Hearn

In many ways that isn't much weaker than what we have been putting out lately, and in some areas (possibly the midfield) even stronger.

One thing I would like to see is a change in captain. If Symons stays then he would be a leading contender, but if not then I would be in favour of one of the new blokes (either Marshall or Coman) coming in taking the reigns to indicate a clear changing of the guard.

[SirBurger]

And on Maitland and Cowan, I am probably alone in this but I think Maitland has been largely pretty good. He has been a bit soft defensively, but he has looked pure class in attack in most of the games in which he has featured. He runs good lines and has looked to make stuff happen. Cowan who has previously been a real leader for us and arguably our best player has failed to stand up and be counted and since the World Cup has clearly had his mind elsewhere. Very disappointing.

[Welly]

Has Ojo really got the pace anymore? will next season prob be his last?

From what i gather Symons will prob stay TBH, he is too far down the England pecking order for 1 season in the championship to affect him IMO.

[Margin_Walker]

Ojo has still got another season or two in him (he's only 30). Is also an important character to have around the place. Obviously he's more of a squad option going forward and I'd expect us to bring in another winger assuming Lewington goes.

SirB - Team doesn't look too bad. Will be interested to see how Gilsenan goes post injury and have a feeling he may start the season at 7. Has Symons played much at 13? Would definitely be good to have both him and Williams on the pitch.

Assume they will announce the Senior Academy for next season soon. With Curry leaving I'm assuming Neal and Watson may follow. Can't see us having three 9s knocking about there assuming Brand gets a contract and Neal hasn't really made an impression.

Edit - Re TC. I'm okay with him staying providing he does still have the dressing room. Would like to see him a little more animated as he's looked a little shell shocked at times. Shake up definitely needs with the other coaches though. Agree that Laidlaw is probably the obvious one worth keeping. Any change in head coach would have to be the right person, rather than just as a reaction to this season.

[SirBurger]

Ojo is definitely worth hanging onto. Like you say, a great guy to have around the squad and he is still a better player than people give him credit for.

Most of Symons' good recent form has been in the 13 shirt. I have been far more impressed with him there than I have been when he has worn 12.

[Ozzy3213]

Some bits picked up from last nights player sponsor evening....

- Maitland does not have a relegation clause in his contract. He did however say that he club have said that the playing budget will have to be cut a bit, and he's waiting to enter talks with them.
- Lewi gave very positive indications about staying, and appears very settled with his girlfriend who is from London.
- Tiks is definitely staying.

Lewi and Tiks on the wing could seriously terrorise Championship defences, given any sort of decent ball.

[LondonTiger]

"We will have to restructure accordingly," Bob Casey

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah I saw that LT. Bob's comment about seeing what the owners appetite for covering the losses is stands out. Having said that I spoke with one of the consortium who own the club about 6 weeks ago about relegation, and he said to me they had a plan in place and the board would cover it.

[Kingshu]

LI dropping surprised me
seamed too recruit some really good players and I'd have thought they were to good to go down, but proves a bad season can happen to nearly anyone.

I guess it means losing a lot of players, but it could be good in the end.

Cut the chaff and it sounds good about the quality of the underage teams, it means these players will have a much better chance of getting gametime and building the core of a team for years to come.

Potential move to Brentford Community Stadium seams promising as well.

So while its dark now the future could be bright if managed well.

Anyway fancy a move to the Pro 12? (Promise you won't ever be relegated again).

[Margin_Walker]

Well thank God that's over. What a miserable experience the whole season was. Hopefully deals are concluded for any leavers fairly quickly, so we know where we stand.

We have to make teams work for trys far more next season. Some more that were beyond soft today. Accuracy in attack was poor again, so all in all, not much by way of silver linings.

[exileray]

Some bits picked up from last nights player sponsor evening....

- Maitland does not have a relegation clause in his contract.  He did however say that he club have said that the playing budget will have to be cut a bit, and he's waiting to enter talks with them.
- Lewi gave very positive indications about staying, and appears very settled with his girlfriend who is from London.
- Tiks is definitely staying.

Lewi and Tiks on the wing could seriously terrorise Championship defences, given any sort of decent ball.

thanks for the info pete I am hoping that most of the players we want to stay will. matt Symonds is one that we really need to give us a shot of getting out of the championship at the first time of asking. thanks again for the info and any more rumours please let us know.
any more news on the play offs being scraped in the championship.

[SirBurger]

Well thank God that's over. What a miserable experience the whole season was. Hopefully deals are concluded for any leavers fairly quickly, so we know where we stand.

We have to make teams work for trys far more next season. Some more that were beyond soft today. Accuracy in attack was poor again, so all in all, not much by way of silver linings.

Depressing performance. Some of our supposedly better players just aren't that good. Even guys like Treviranus and Symons have been fairly lacklustre lately and just don't have the impact that they previously have done. Yet again I fail to see what Narraway brings to the side, but I am like a broken record on that one. And you are right MW, our attack just lacks cutting edge. Even in the Championship we are going to struggle unless something drastic improves.

[Margin_Walker]

Well thank God that's over. What a miserable experience the whole season was. Hopefully deals are concluded for any leavers fairly quickly, so we know where we stand.

We have to make teams work for trys far more next season. Some more that were beyond soft today. Accuracy in attack was poor again, so all in all, not much by way of silver linings.

Depressing performance. Some of our supposedly better players just aren't that good. Even guys like Treviranus and Symons have been fairly lacklustre lately and just don't have the impact that they previously have done. Yet again I fail to see what Narraway brings to the side, but I am like a broken record on that one. And you are right MW, our attack just lacks cutting edge. Even in the Championship we are going to struggle unless something drastic improves.

Narraway wasn't great (especially the brainless yellow), but then no one was really. He'll be fine as a squad option next season, but I'd rather not see him ever present as captain again.

I worry about Trev. Every game he plays these days he seems to need treatment at some stage. I'm not sure he has too much time left, so talking of broken records..... we need someone who will be able to carry the ball next year. Leo was decent in the set piece when he came on. Assuming Franks goes, we'll need a 3rd tighthead and his ability to play the other side would make him worth retaining if he was up for it.

I've been banging on about continuity for a while, but I wonder after the last few weeks. Something really isn't right and we need to do much better next season. Hopefully Symons Jr (on the scoresheet again today) and Marshall will make a difference to the backline next year assuming they both show up.

[SirBurger]

I also worry about Trev. One of my favourite players but we clearly can't rely on him and him alone. A big call carrier desperately required.

Marshall was also on the scoreboard and i gather played very well.

[Welly]

Personally you prob would be best letting Maitland go regardless he obvs wants to, and with Marshall, Bell and Lewington you should be fine.

12 Williams
13 Symons

Has a very nice look to it IMO esp in terms of physicality.

[SirBurger]

Personally you prob would be best letting Maitland go regardless he obvs wants to, and with Marshall, Bell and Lewington you should be fine.

12 Williams
13 Symons

Has a very nice look to it IMO esp in terms of physicality.

I agree. It looks like a very tasting midfield partnership. I just hope Andy still comes if his brother is off.

[Welly]

Can't see why he wouldn't played in the championship with wuss and then was messed about with wuss this season.

[SirBurger]

Rugby Department review tomorrow. Will be interesting to see what comes out of it. I hope and expect that some of the fat is trimmed. Sadly, sounds like Symons, Franks and Maitland will all be off. Hopefully Lewington will stay, although his England call-up probably doesn't do us any favours.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Quite happily take Lewington and Franks off you for a season? You can keep Symons though.

[Ozzy3213]

Lewi's fan sponsor is pretty convinced he will stay. I'm 50/50. It could hinge on what's said to him when he joins up with England in all honesty. The other thing to remember is that not all leavers will be going of their own free will, the board are actively looking at cutting costs, and some players will go because of it.

[SirBurger]

Lewi's fan sponsor is pretty convinced he will stay.  I'm 50/50.  It could hinge on what's said to him when he joins up with England in all honesty.  The other thing to remember is that not all leavers will be going of their own free will, the board are actively looking at cutting costs, and some players will go because of it.

I find it saddening that the financial situation is so bad that we would even consider letting Lewington go to be honest. Surely it is better to cut the rubbish (of which there is a fair amount) and build the team around young talent like him?

[Margin_Walker]

Lewi's fan sponsor is pretty convinced he will stay.  I'm 50/50.  It could hinge on what's said to him when he joins up with England in all honesty.  The other thing to remember is that not all leavers will be going of their own free will, the board are actively looking at cutting costs, and some players will go because of it.

I find it saddening that the financial situation is so bad that we would even consider letting Lewington go to be honest. Surely it is better to cut the rubbish (of which there is a fair amount) and build the team around young talent like him?

Agree. Could see that easily being the case with Maitland, Cowan, Franks and even Aulika (who was probably on a decent wage). Symons and Lewington though should only be let go if they want out.

Definitely prepared to wince a bit in the next month or so as previously contracted leavers are announced.

[Ozzy3213]

SB, I have no idea if we are considering letting Lewi go whatever the financial situation is.

[SirBurger]

SB, I have no idea if we are considering letting Lewi go whatever the financial situation is.

No, I realise you were being speculative. I just think I would find that a disappointing decision. But then again £2m is a large gap to plug and we can't really release the players already signed unless they want out so no fat to cut in that department. All in all worrying times. I am looking forward to the review starting so that we can be put out of our misery and stop the speculating.

[Ozzy3213]

Completely agree. Am resigned to losing a few we'd like to keep, so just want you know now, then I can set my expectations accordingly!

[Jimpy]

Completely agree.  Am resigned to losing a few we'd like to keep,  so just want you know now,  then I can set my expectations accordingly!

Genuinely sorry to see LI relegated. As a Tigers supporter, I've enjoyed the rivalry over the years, it wasn't long ago that our teams were contesting the AP final!

The Championship is a tough league, but I'm sure LI will regain promotion - maybe not straight away, but soon.

Good luck!

[Margin_Walker]

Senior Academy now announced for next year:

Murphy (re-signed)
Elrington (re-signed)
Neal (re-signed)
Cokanasiga (re-signed, although technically the same age group as the new lads)
Williams
Brand
Parton
Curtis-Harris
Kouris

http://www.london-irish.com/news/exiles-bolster-senior-academy/bp904/

Some U18 highlights from the championship winning season. Sadly missing Williams' great try in the final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr7yaGpAFwc

So Curry, Langdon and Watson leave by the look of things (probably would have been nice to give them a mention on the article).

Very talented looking crop coming in. Perhaps expected Leat to be offered a contract, given he had Eng U18 involvement.

[SirBurger]

Yes, a very exciting crop of youngsters MW. I am particularly excited about Parton, Cokanasiga and Curtis-Harris. I genuinely think all three can expect to get some game time next season, especially in the B&I Cup. Brand is also a real livewire at 9, but still with strong fundamentals. Matt Williams is also a try machine and it wouldn't surprise me if within a few years we have an all Williams midfield pairing. Exciting times.

Looks like Symons is definitely off to Wasps. I expect that to be announced shortly. To be fair, if Skivington is fit then a combination of him and De Chaves will be very strong. Otherwise, we will need to bring in a capable replacement from the Championship to fill Matt's boots. I wonder if it brings into question Andy's signature. We will have to wait and see...just looking forward to all of this being sorted out.

[Irish Londoner]

On the plus side, as I'm now in Yorkshire I get to see LI at Leeds and Doncaster next season !

[Irish Londoner]

Sorry duplicated !

[Margin_Walker]

I'm within an hour of Leeds, Donny, Rotherham and Nottingham

Silver linings and all that...

[Welly]

A Few players seem to be confirming next season
Chav
Tiks
Marshall
(Maybe some more not sure)

Good stuff.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, pretty confident most, if not all, that signed will end up coming. Coman and Symons (Jr) is the only biggish signings that haven't yet.

Of our key players, Maitland, Franks and Symons look pretty certain to leave. Cowan likely as well. Even if Lewington also goes or squad won't be too much worse than this season. And will actually be stronger in a few areas, especially 10 and centre. Encouraging, but will count for nothing if we don't make a better effort at playing to the sum of our parts next season.

[Ozzy3213]

Symons and Maitland are definitely off. I've not heard anything about Franks going and I'm 99% sure Lewi is staying.

Rob McCusker has been released (not offered an extension).

As and when I hear anything else I'll let you guys know on here.

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