Post by Jamie Crawford on Aug 30, 2016 13:01:08 GMT
The Knights commence their league campaign against the team tipped as favourites to win the league after their fall from grace in the Premiership. They are London Irish, a side most fans will already be very familiar with and who boast a plethora of top class talent. International stars such as World Cup winning All Black Ben Franks, England internationals Shane Geraghty, Topsy Ojo and Luke Narroway are but a few of talents in the Exiles ranks.
“London Irish was the last club to be formed in England by working and student exiles from the home countries, following London Scottish in 1878 and London Welsh in 1895. The first game took place on 1 October 1898 against the former Hammersmith club at Herne Hill Athletic Ground, London Irish winning by eight points to three. The team benefited from the early recruitment of vet and Irish international Louis Magee.” (Wikipedia 20/07/16)
Admittedly although London Irish play their home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading (until 2026); they do their training at the Hazlewood Centre, Croysdale Avenue, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6QU. I believe that their original home at Avenue Road Sunbury-on-Thames was intended to be developed into a large housing estate but that proposal hit much opposition and many compromises were agreed that no-doubt reduced Irish’s profit. It will have still been considerable as they purchased the 12-acre site in 1931 for £1 280!
Irish finished bottom of the Premiership last season with seven fewer points than second bottom Newcastle Falcons. The exiles managed four wins from their disappointing Premiership campaign; all wins were home wins at their Madejski Stadium home, against Northampton, Newcastle, Worcester and Gloucester. Irish were far stronger at home last season, now the Knights must upset their Madejski apple cart and catch them napping at the start of the season.
The off-season saw a couple of the Exiles big names depart including 2013 British & Irish Lion tourist Sean Maitland and multiple Tongan international prop Halani Aulika who have left for Saracens and Sale respectively. However, Irish have brought in some impressive new signings also including Scottish international full back Greig Tonks who joined late last season and Sebastian De Chaves from Leicester Tigers.
Irish, much like many of the relegated Premiership sides before them will seek an immediate return to the top flight next season and are sure to be many people’s pre-season favourites to do just that. Speaking in an interview with the Reading Chronicle this month, mainstay winger Topsy Ojo stated. “I’m fully committed to rectifying what went wrong last season and I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure we get back to the Premiership at the first attempt.”
One key player to look out for is ex-All Black prop Ben Franks. Franks was capped 45 times for the All Blacks and joined before last season however Franks was out injured for three months and potentially could have helped the Irish stave off relegation if he hadn’t missed several crucial games.
The Exiles have had two pre-season games in preparation for their stint in the Championship (for hopefully more than one season). They initially beat the Harlequins 28-12… …in front of an enthusiastic crowd at their Hazelwood.” (London Irish website). They then beat Nottingham at Hazlewood 43-14.
“London Irish Director of Rugby Nick Kennedy heaped praise on the ‘fantastic’ support his side received during Friday’s 43-14 victory over Nottingham Rugby at Hazelwood.
“This is our home and this is where we train every day, so to bring all of our supporters here is great,” said Kennedy.” (London Irish website, 23/08/16)
Although the Madejski Stadium can’t be dubbed a fortress after Irish were relegated; they didn’t win an away game and it was roughly a 40:60 win:loss ratio at home. I think you’ll agree that a 40% win percentage is far better than 0%! So The Exiles are more confident at home.
The first game could provide the best opportunity to beat a team that may become dominant in the league through the season. However Irish and all of the other teams in the Championship know how good we are and how dangerous we can be. Last season some teams may have not been as aware and so underestimated us slightly.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
“London Irish was the last club to be formed in England by working and student exiles from the home countries, following London Scottish in 1878 and London Welsh in 1895. The first game took place on 1 October 1898 against the former Hammersmith club at Herne Hill Athletic Ground, London Irish winning by eight points to three. The team benefited from the early recruitment of vet and Irish international Louis Magee.” (Wikipedia 20/07/16)
Admittedly although London Irish play their home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading (until 2026); they do their training at the Hazlewood Centre, Croysdale Avenue, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6QU. I believe that their original home at Avenue Road Sunbury-on-Thames was intended to be developed into a large housing estate but that proposal hit much opposition and many compromises were agreed that no-doubt reduced Irish’s profit. It will have still been considerable as they purchased the 12-acre site in 1931 for £1 280!
Irish finished bottom of the Premiership last season with seven fewer points than second bottom Newcastle Falcons. The exiles managed four wins from their disappointing Premiership campaign; all wins were home wins at their Madejski Stadium home, against Northampton, Newcastle, Worcester and Gloucester. Irish were far stronger at home last season, now the Knights must upset their Madejski apple cart and catch them napping at the start of the season.
The off-season saw a couple of the Exiles big names depart including 2013 British & Irish Lion tourist Sean Maitland and multiple Tongan international prop Halani Aulika who have left for Saracens and Sale respectively. However, Irish have brought in some impressive new signings also including Scottish international full back Greig Tonks who joined late last season and Sebastian De Chaves from Leicester Tigers.
Irish, much like many of the relegated Premiership sides before them will seek an immediate return to the top flight next season and are sure to be many people’s pre-season favourites to do just that. Speaking in an interview with the Reading Chronicle this month, mainstay winger Topsy Ojo stated. “I’m fully committed to rectifying what went wrong last season and I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure we get back to the Premiership at the first attempt.”
One key player to look out for is ex-All Black prop Ben Franks. Franks was capped 45 times for the All Blacks and joined before last season however Franks was out injured for three months and potentially could have helped the Irish stave off relegation if he hadn’t missed several crucial games.
The Exiles have had two pre-season games in preparation for their stint in the Championship (for hopefully more than one season). They initially beat the Harlequins 28-12… …in front of an enthusiastic crowd at their Hazelwood.” (London Irish website). They then beat Nottingham at Hazlewood 43-14.
“London Irish Director of Rugby Nick Kennedy heaped praise on the ‘fantastic’ support his side received during Friday’s 43-14 victory over Nottingham Rugby at Hazelwood.
“This is our home and this is where we train every day, so to bring all of our supporters here is great,” said Kennedy.” (London Irish website, 23/08/16)
Although the Madejski Stadium can’t be dubbed a fortress after Irish were relegated; they didn’t win an away game and it was roughly a 40:60 win:loss ratio at home. I think you’ll agree that a 40% win percentage is far better than 0%! So The Exiles are more confident at home.
The first game could provide the best opportunity to beat a team that may become dominant in the league through the season. However Irish and all of the other teams in the Championship know how good we are and how dangerous we can be. Last season some teams may have not been as aware and so underestimated us slightly.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
