Darren Allinson, the scrum half for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union side the London Irish is relishing the competition for places in the starting lineup with the no. 9 jersey, following the acquisition of Tomas O’Leary by the club in the off season.

The 24 year old, however, is no stranger to having stiff competition for a place in the starting lineup, having faced a similar situation during his stint with the Cardiff Blues as well as two year spell with the Reading based side.

Shaun Edwards, the defense coach of the Wales Rugby Team is set to take over at Aviva Premiership side the London Irish as their head coach after the Grand Slam winners return from their tour of Australia at the end of June.

The news of Edwards taking over at the helm of The Exiles comes in the wake of the departures of Justin Bishop, Toby Booth and Neal Hatley from the club. Edwards will continue to serve in his capacity as the defense coach of the Welsh team but under the clause of his contract, he will be allowed to spend a day a week with the Irish.

The Director of Rugby for the Aviva Premiership side the London Irish Brian Smith expects the players in his team to show the same kind of passion and determination that they showed in the match against the Leicester Tigers when they take on Exeter Chiefs this week.

The Exiles made a late effort in the match against the Tigers when almost everyone present in the ground thought them to be dead and buried but they rallied from a huge deficit to cut down the lead.

London Irish will face Harlequins on Saturday at the Stoop. Harlequins will be boosted by the return of their very important player Matt Hopper who was busy with his England Saxons duty.

Matt Garvey is a 24-year-old London Irish player. He covers the second-row forward position and the cap for Saturday’s England Saxons rugby team has surprised him. He mentions that he wasn’t even drafted for his own county to find himself now debuting for England’s second national rugby team.

The Saxons clash with Ireland Wolfhounds, the second Irish national team, at Exter this Saturday. Garvey’s excellent appearances for London Irish recommended him for the Saxons team.

Steven Shingler lined up for London Irish against Cardiff in the Heineken Cup this weekend after a frustrating week as his international eligibility has been the hot topic in Rugby all week.

Shingler has been the centre of the row between Wales and Scotland over who he has the right to play for.

Toby Booth has given his vision for the future of his London Irish team, hinting that he will aim for a smaller group of players for their campaign next season. With playing budgets for next season currently being set and focus already being at least partly switched to next season Booth knows where he sees the Exiles short term future.

London Irish have signed the young row forward Edward Siggery on a professional contract. Siggery, 19, who came through the ranks at Scarlets Academy, is currently at the Junior World Championships with the Wales Under-20 side. He told the club website: “Quite a few young lads at the club made a big impact last season […]

London Irish have moved in to sign the All Blacks second row Bryn Evans in a major coup. The 26-year-old lock, who also plays for Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s domestic provincial competition, has signed a two-year deal. “I am looking forward to testing myself against a different opposition in a different club competition,” he […]