London Irish are 'to be SUSPENDED from the RFU on Wednesday'

[The InnFORCEr]

Story by Ed Carruthers For Mailonline • 5h ago

London Irish are 'set to be suspended from the Rugby Football Union' this week
It comes after Wasps and Worcester suffered a similar plight this season
Over 250 players will now face the uncertainty of no employment next season

London Irish are reportedly 'set to be suspended from the Rugby Football Union this Wednesday' after the club has fallen into financial difficulties this season.

According to The Telegraph, the RFU have reportedly 'seen zero progression' with Irish's deal to secure a takeover and neither have they seen that current owner, Mick Crossan, is able to provide funding to support the club for the 2023-24 season.

The outlet says that the club has until 4pm on Tuesday to deliver their plans to the RFU's Financial Viability group who will 'make a recommendation to the Union's board before Wednesday'.

Failure to show these plans 'will result in suspension' and The Telegraph claim that a 'worst-case scenario is feared' with players now 'scrambling for employment next season'.

It is a concerning look that is reminiscent of the plight Worcester and Wasps suffered earlier this season as both clubs also being suspended by the RFU, after they too fell into administration.

The news could now leave London Irish's players and staff in jeopardy of unemployment

It means that the RFU could now have over 250 unemployed players on their hands with Mail Sport reporting that the Rugby Players’ Association already has around 170 professionals leaving their current contracts.

The paper also suggests that England wing Henry Arundell and back row Tom Pearson are both now being sought after by rival Premiership clubs, with both 'having received at least four expressions of interest'.

Arundell, known for his superb strength and excellent ability with the ball in hand, broke onto the international scene last year, gaining his first cap during England's Summer tour to Australia, notably scoring on his Test debut back in July.

The 20-year-old had actually made history that day becoming the first Exile to be capped by England since Marland Yarde made an appearance against the All Blacks in 2014.

Meanwhile, emerging flanker Pearson picked up the Premiership's Breakthrough Player of the Season trophy at the League's end of season awards.

The 23-year-old England hopeful is one of the League's top prospects, but it appears now could move elsewhere, while several Top 14 sides and South African sides have also stepped forward to pick up Arundell.

The news comes as the club have been suffering from financial problems throughout the year.

Earlier in May, Mail Sport reported that players and staff had been concerned over whether they would be paid on time, with an insolvency expert sounding the alarms on the club's predicament.

Crossan stepped in at the 11th hour though to ensure that all players and staff were paid on time, before players had threatened to serve their notice, with fears their game against Exeter that weekend could have been called off.

Mail Sport revealed back in March that an American fund was vying to take-over at the club, but since then, no deal has been agreed.

That presents a problem for Irish, who now have until May 30 to show their liquidity in order to be accepted to play in the 2023-24 season.

That comes as part of the RFU's plans to prevent the situation that happened to Worcester and Wasps from happening to clubs currently in the league, after they were suspended from the league after going into administration.

Will Chudley and Matt Kvesic, formerly of Worcester, will both join up with Coventry next season and it appears several other players from Irish could follow their lead.

Despite that, Irish wrapped up their season with a big 17-14 win against Exeter at the Gtech Community stadium and narrowly missed out on a spot in the Premiership play-offs, just falling short by three points to Northampton to finish in fifth place.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/foot...bf89b163&ei=20

[WFDom]

Go time for Ollie!

[WFDom]

Wouldn't say no if Arundel fancied a few years here!

https://youtu.be/MU9f3h3n1MQ

[boof1050]

Can he tackle??

[The InnFORCEr]

London Irish expected to be suspended from the Premiership on Tuesday
Story by Press Association • 8h ago


London Irish are expected to be suspended from the Gallagher Premiership on Tuesday when the deadline to prove they have the finances needed to operate next season expires.

Irish have until 4pm to either complete a proposed takeover by an American consortium or for owner Mick Crossan to commit to the club for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign.

As of Monday, the buyout was no closer to being finalised with key documentation including proof of funds yet to be supplied to the Rugby Football Union, while Crossan is intent on severing ties.

Only 50 per cent of the staff payroll for May was paid and the outstanding wages must also be settled if Irish are to take their place in next season's Premiership.

It was Crossan's failure to pay the salaries in full last week that persuaded the RFU to extend the deadline by six days in the hope that staff and players would get the money owed to them.

Suspension from the Premiership would result in the club being demoted to the foot of the rugby pyramid.

Irish's outlook deteriorated further on Friday when they were issued with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

Petitions have been filed against London Irish Holdings Limited and London Irish Rugby Football Ground Limited.

The demise of the Exiles, who finished the Premiership in fifth place, would conclude the darkest season in the history of the English club game after Wasps and Worcester folded because of their own financial difficulties.

Wasps have been demoted to the foot of the rugby pyramid after their new owners failed to secure the funding needed to relaunch in the Championship, while Worcester have gone quiet on their plan of rebuilding from the fifth tier.

Irish have debts in the region of £30million and do not own their own stadium, instead playing at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium after a 20-year spell at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

Bill Sweeney and Simon Massie-Taylor, chief executives of the RFU and Premiership Rugby respectively, were accused by MPs of presiding over a "failure on an epic scale" following the collapse of Wasps and Worcester, but Irish have been given every opportunity to secure their future.

The governing bodies have been forced to weigh the desire to see the Exiles survive with the need to put plans in place for next season, with the reduction of clubs from 13 to 10 requiring a different league structure.

If a third club is lost, the bleak financial climate of the Premiership in the post-Covid era will be highlighted once again with teams able to operate through the funding of benefactors.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/othe...8b5e0959&ei=67