STATEMENT: RFU set to issue update on London Irish

The latest advancements on the London Irish financial suspension saga were announced today, with reports circulating that the Exiles have been given one additional week to save their future in the Premiership.

Try celebrations for Tom Pearson of London Irish as he dives over to score during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Harlequins at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 29 January 2023 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)

Reports from Daily Mail present how London Irish have been granted an extra seven days, to complete the club’s ownership takeover. Irish must also prove that the ‘American consortium’ that is looking to buy the Exiles, has the available finances to keep the club afloat.

In the meantime, the latest report state that London Irish’s current owner Mick Crossan, will pay the players wages until the financial takeover is complete. These are positive signs in what was a nail-biting day for London Irish and their ‘Exile Nation’ of fans.

Benhard van Rensburg of London Irish races through before passing to Joe Powell of London Irish to score during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Leicester Tigers at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 25 February 2023 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)

There was heightened speculation that London Irish were going to be suspended from the Premiership, and follow the likes of Worcester Warriors and Wasps out of the top flight of English rugby. There is a renewed feeling of relief at the G-tech Community Stadium, with hopes that the takeover will be finalised in the coming days.

This completed takeover with proof of financial stability, should be enough to secure London Irish’s place in the Gallagher Premiership for the 2023/24 season.

It seems Bill Sweeney is awake and reading my tweets! Glad the @RFU have seen sense and extended the deadline for @londonirish! https://t.co/P1f5YWLubY
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) May 30, 2023

On 15 May, the RFU said in a statement that the timescale had been set to “avoid a scenario where the club enters insolvency mid-season, with the corresponding and substantial impact that has on players, staff and fans, as well as on the remainder of the league”.

Mail Online predict the entire England 2023 Rugby World Cup squad

With under six months to go, the Mail Online have had a go at predicting who will make Steve Borthwick’s England Rugby World Cup squad.

In their article, they ran through every position and assessed options in every position, highlighting those who look certain picks, probable picks and outside chances – provided the players in question are fit come selection time at the end of August.

There were a number of surprises omissions, including Joe Marchant, Billy Vunipola, Ben Earl and the in-form Tom Pearson.

Check out their full selection below: