'He's proved himself at a good level': Irish sign a Sydney centre

London Irish have bolstered their squad for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign by signing midfielder Eddie Poolman from Sydney University. The Gallagher Premiership club had been on the lookout for an additional centre following the sudden October departure of ex-Wallaby Curtis Rona and their 12-week search has now ended with the recruitment of the unheralded Poolman.

A statement read: “London Irish is pleased to confirm the signature of centre Eddie Poolman from Sydney University. Poolman has competed for the university in the last two editions of the New South Wales Shute Shield, also helping the side to a Sydney Rugby Premiership title last year.

“The 6-foot-tall back contributed heavily to Sydney’s recent title charge. He started out his rugby career with Hunters Hill Rugby Club, one of the oldest rugby clubs in Australia, before progressing to regional honours to represent New South Wales schoolboys side.”

London Irish boss Declan Kidney said: “Eddie is a capable player with a lot of potential. He has proved himself at a good level in Australia, and we look forward to seeing his progress with us here at London Irish.

“We are excited to be welcoming Eddie to England and we will be sure to absorb him into the family we have here.”

Poolman added: “Signing for Irish is realising a dream of playing professional rugby. This is an exciting point in my life and starting anew in London is a fantastic opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. Watching Declan and his team from Australia, the style of play and players here at Irish are a massive pull factor, and I’m just itching to get started with the guys.”

Poolman will debut for London Irish in their home Premiership Rugby Cup pool match on Wednesday night versus Bath in Brentford.

LONDON IRISH: 15. Logan Trotter; 14. Matt Williams, 13. Eddie Poolman, 12. Tom Hitchcock, 11. Michael Dykes; 10. Jacob Atkins, 9. Caolan Englefield; 1. Facundo Gigena, 2. Matt Cornish, 3. Ciaran Parker, 4. Josh Caulfield, 5. Ed Scragg, 6. Jack Cooke (capt), 7. Ben Donnell, 8. Ben Atkins. Reps: 16. Isaac Miller, 17. Mikey Summerfield, 18. Luke Green, 19. Lucas Brooke, 20. Josh Smart, 21. Hugh O’Sullivan, 22. Monty Bradbury, 23. Jack Walsh.

BATH: 15. Sam Harris; 14. Tom de Glanville, 13. Jordan Venter, 12. Max Wright, 11. Will Butt; 10. George Worboys, 9. Tom Carr-Smith; 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Tom Doughty, 3. Archie Griffin, 4. Michael Etete, 5. JJ Tonks, 6. Tom Ellis, 7. Wesley White, 8. Richard de Carpentier. Reps: 16. Jasper Spandler, 17. Archie Stanley, 18. Elliot Millar-Mills, 19. Ethan Staddon, 20. Frankie Read, 21. Louie Hennessey, 22. Gabe Goss, 23. Nahum Merigan