Decision Set to Be Made on Future of London Irish

Suspension looms as takeover deal remains stalled

Tom Pearson will be getting lots of offers but other players won't. Picture: London Irish

May 30, 2023

This Tuesday (30 May) is set to be decision day on London Irish’s future as a professional rugby team.

The Rugby Football Union gave the date as a deadline two weeks ago for the takeover of the club by American investors to be completed.

However, at the time of writing, no indication has been given that the protracted talks have reached a conclusion and the possibility is that there will be no rugby played at the GTech stadium in Brentford next season. An announcement is expected to be made on the club’s future on Wednesday (31 May).

The current owner, Mick Crossan, would need to step in to cover the wages of staff if the deal doesn’t proceed and, without this support, the club would almost certainly be suspended from next year’s programme of competitive rugby. It currently has debts of over £30 million.

The BBC has quoted sources from within the club as saying talks on the deal continue but that the timescale is too short to complete the transaction.

Earlier it had been claimed that funds from the new investors were on the way but had been delayed by Bank Holidays.

It has been suggested that the deadline could be extended if proof of funds from the American buyer could be provided.

Unlike last month, when there was a delay in paying staff, the players cannot threaten to go on strike as the season has ended. Ironically, it was the club’s most successful in over a decade with the side finishing fifth in the league and qualifying for the main European competition.

Mr Crossan covered April’s salary bill but there is uncertainty as to whether he would be willing to do the same this month and other clubs are thought to be hovering in the hope of snapping up some of the Exile’s star players including Tom Pearson, Henry Arundell and Ben White. However, salary caps imposed in the English game mean that many players will need to move overseas to get employment. For others, finding employment may be difficult with the market flooded with players looking for teams following the demise of Wasps and Worcester earlier in the season and other sides cutting the size of their squads. Reportedly, the London Irish squad were given permission to speak to other clubs last Friday.

Last week the team’s Fijian lock Api Ratuniyarawa told the Daily Mail, 'We've got families. We've got bills to pay. It's quite stressful thinking about - hopefully it goes through. We are just hoping for the best. Hopefully it gets sorted but at the back of your mind you think what happens if it doesn't go through.

'You've got to have a Plan B. I might have to look for a job or find another club. Maybe a nine to five job, but I think I still have a few years left to play rugby.

'I've been speaking to my agent and I've got plans in place if this thing doesn't go through. Maybe I'll look at opportunities in France. Most of the Top14 and PROD2 teams do their recruitment late.

'Thinking about what Worcester and Wasps players have been through, looking for clubs, not getting contracts, it's not good for your mind and your mental health.'