The London Irish will be ‘suspended by the RFU on Wednesday’ and could leave more than 250 players and staff ‘looking for work’… with England wing Henry Arundell and Tom Pearson now wanted by rival clubs
- London Irish will be suspended by the Rugby Football Union this week
- It comes after Wasps and Worcester were in a similar situation this season
- More than 250 players will now face the uncertainty of no job next season
London Irish are reportedly ‘suspended from the Rugby Football Union next Wednesday’ after the club ran into financial difficulties this season.
According to The Telegraph, the RFU on Friday reportedly ‘seen zero progress’ with Irish’s deal to secure a takeover, nor have they seen the current owner, Mick Crossan, be able to provide funding to launch the club next season.
The outlet reports that the club has until 4pm on Tuesday to submit their plans to the RFU’s Financial Viability group, which will “make a recommendation to the union’s board before Wednesday.”
Failure to show these plans ‘will result in suspension’ and The Telegraph suggests a ‘worst case scenario’ is feared with players now ‘looking for a job next season’.
It’s a worrying look that brings to mind some of the plight that Worcester and Wasps suffered earlier in the season, with both clubs also being suspended by the RFU, after they too fell into financial difficulties.
It now means the RFU could have more than 250 unemployed players on their hands, while Mail Sport reports that the Rugby Players’ Association has already had around 170 professionals canceling their current contracts.
London Irish to be ‘suspended from Rugby Football Union on Wednesday’
The paper also suggests that back row England wing Henry Arundell and Tom Pearson are both now sought after by rival Premiership clubs, and that they have both “received at least four expressions of interest”.
More to follow…