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 (@LiRFC) 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 (@LiRFC) 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
Word in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to comments