A potential London Irish starting XV in season 2019/20
London Irish’s rebuild ahead of their potential re-entry into the Premiership is fast approaching a crescendo, with confirmation of the signing of British and Irish Lions backrow Sean O’Brien to the club today making waves across social media.
Nick Phipps, Curtis Rona and now O’Brien have Irish fans salivating at the a potential starting XV for next season. The club already announced new deals for Jacob Atkins, Rory Brand, Isaac Curtis-Harris, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ben Loader, Tom Parton and Matt Williams, and they’re shaping up to have a potentially super competitive squad for a potential return into the Gallagher Premiership next season.
2019/20 signings so far:
• ?????????????
• 147 international caps
• Two British & Irish Lions touristsSo far so good. Stay tuned…#StatementOfIntent pic.twitter.com/gEFrsNyILX
— London Irish (@londonirish) February 11, 2019
Here RugbyPass talks a look at what a starting XV could look like if they land some more of their ‘most wanted’ stars.
15 Alivereti Veitokani
While it’s a tough call on the ex-England U20s fullback Tom Parton who has largely laid claimed to the position this season – the former Fijian Drua playmaker was key to his side’s National Rugby Championship success in 2018 and lit up the competition with his fast footwork, audacious offloads and strong support play. Not a household name but watch this space.
14 Luke McLean
Italian international McLean has the benefit of international experience and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet this season. The Aussie born wing can also slot in at fullback.
13 Curtis Rona
The powerful former NRL player has made a relatively seamless transition to union with the Waratahs and Wallbies respectively, and at 26, the 6’4, 102kg winger cum centre is in his prime. Rona made his name with NRL clubs North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching codes to join Western Force in 2016, where his performances were rewarded with a call-up into the 2017 Australian national squad.
12 Bryce Campbell
The hard-running American who had been playing his rugby at Colorado-based side Glendale Raptors before joining London Irish in the summer of 2018. The no-nonsense American is one a number of veteran centres in the squad, including Brendan Macken, Fergus Mulcrone, Ciaran Hearn and Terrence Hepetema.
11 Waisake Naholo
Could it really be true? RugbyPass understands that the All Black winger is now top of London Irish’s wishlist and that it is they – and not Wasps – who are leading the chase to sign the speedster. A devastating finisher who has done little wrong in an All Black jersey.
10 Paddy Jackson
While he may have to share the position with former England and Northampton Saints 10 Stephen Myler, there is no denying that Jackson is – at his best – a tremendous talent. He’s been dogged by off field controversey and has had a nightmare season with Perpignan, but if he does sign for London Irish fans can expect fireworks if his pack deliver him frontfoot ball.
9 Nick Phipps
70-cap Wallaby Phipps is another ‘statement of intent’ signing from the club. He will also bring no small amount of ‘craic’ with him. The Aussie is infamous for both his on and off-field antics – including disciplinary action taken against him for urinating against a public bar and pushing over a medic during a Rugby Championship match.
8 Steve Mafi
RugbyPass understands that Mafi is set to sign from French champions Castre. If he were to do so, he would add both experiences and dynamism around the park. He also offers utility as a player who can play across the back five of the scrum.
7 Sean O’Brien
The Tullow Tank is the club’s most high profile signing to date, and if they can keep the Leinsterman fit, he could be a devastating prospect in the Premiership. RugbyPass reported he will earning in region of £450,000, so the club will be eager to get the most out of the 31-year-old. Like Mafi, has the ability to play any position in the backrow.
2?? British & Irish Lions tours
5??4?? Ireland caps
4?? Champions Cup titles
1??2??2?? appearances for Leinster
4?? Pro 14 titles1?? Statement of intent.#OBrienSigns pic.twitter.com/jniV3PDLGu
— London Irish (@londonirish) February 11, 2019
6 TJ Ioane
TJ Ioane, who joined from Sale Sharks, is a current Samoan international back-rower, winning the most recent of his 17 caps during this summer’s Pacific Nations Cup and Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
5 Adam Coleman
Another massive potential signing for Irish, the giant Wallaby secondrow looks set to transfer from the Waratahs to London for next season. At 6’8 and 122kg the agressive Australian will certainly add bulk and experience to Declan Kidney’s side.
4 Franco van der Merwe
The big South African has become a mainstay at Irish since he arrived from Ulster in 2017. After making just under 200 appearances for South African side the Lions, van der Merwe made the switch to fellow Super Rugby outfit the Sharks in 2013 prior to joining PRO 14 club Ulster a year later.
3 Ollie Hoskins
Twenty-six-year-old Australian prop Ollie Hoskins joined London Irish from Western Force in the build up to the 2016/17 season. Hoskins has represented Australia at Under-20 level and made 26 Super Rugby appearances for the Force. He may not be a household name, but he has managed to hold onto the tighthead berth, with former Leicester Tigers prop Pat Cilliers in hot pursuit.
2 Saia Fainga’a
Wallaby Fainga’a made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in 2006 and had a two-year stint with the Canberra-based club, before moving to Queensland Reds where he spent seven seasons. Has become an important part of the London Irish pack already.
1 Allan Dell
Capped 13 times by Scotland, the loosehead prop hails from South Africa and represented their U20s four times in 2012. The prop is currently ranked 11th in his position in the Six Nations by the RugbyPass Index, and 41st in the world with a score of 73.
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
75 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
75 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
75 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
75 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
75 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments