London Irish are on the BRINK after being served a winding-up petition

London Irish’s chances of survival looked bleak on Friday night after the club filed for bankruptcy over an unpaid tax bill.

HM Revenue and Customs stepped in on Friday to launch insolvency proceedings as the club is in limbo between owners.

Mick Crossan is in talks to sell the club to a US consortium, but the deal has stalled due to funding delays.

The RFU has granted the club a week’s delay to finalize their proposed takeover, with a deadline of Tuesday.

The new owners are expected to pay the tax bill, as well as the rest of May’s salaries, after Crossan paid 50 percent of the wage bill to get a deferment.

The government has also stepped in by appointing two independent advisers in an effort to lift rugby union out of the financial crisis following the loss of Wasps and Worcester.

Following the appointment of Ralph Rimmer, the former CEO of the Rugby Football League, and Chris Pilling, a board member of UK Sport, a DCMS statement said: ‘Following the recent failures of several clubs and the wider challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, rugby union has a unique opportunity to reshape its future strategic financial and sporting direction.

“The government shares fans’ concerns about where the game is going next and has appointed two independent advisers to work with the RFU and PRL.

“The troubles in Worcester, Wasps and London Irish have exposed the challenges facing rugby union.

“The inability of clubs to attract capital investment and the financial challenges at various levels have contributed to the urgent need for work to secure the near future of rugby union.”