London Irish Sign Star Prop Forward from Leinster

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in London Irish

London Irish have announced the signing of Jamie Hagan from Irish province, Leinster, on a three year deal.

The 25-year old tighthead prop forward joined Leinster from school before moving across to Galway where he spent two years with Connacht, making 50 appearances. He moved back to Leinster in the summer of 2011.

Jamie was drafted into the Leinster Academy as an 18-year-old in 2005 and was capped, provincially and nationally, through the age grades. In 2007, he was a member of the Ireland team that captured the Under-20 Grand Slam.

Leinster followed his progress at Connacht and in June 2011 signed him back to the Irish capital. He played 18 times during 2011/12 and scored his first try for Leinster in a 42-13 win over Ulster.

London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith said: “Jamie Hagan is a future Irish Test player, he’s cut his teeth in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 and is more than ready to launch his Aviva Premiership career. He’s a tough, uncompromising prop coming into his prime and he’ll add more steel to our tight five. Jamie’s rugby talent and Irish heritage make him a perfect fit for the club. I’m genuinely delighted that he’s committed to London Irish for the next three seasons.”

The prop forward, who has made two appearances for the Irish Wolfhounds, said: "I’m looking forward to moving across to England and joining London Irish. They are a team with a rich heritage and proud Irish traditions which will really suit me. I would like to thank Leinster for all they have done for me and wish them well for the future. I look forward to joining London Irish next season and getting stuck in to Premiership rugby."

Irish confirm Joseph departure

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in London Irish

London Irish have confirmed that centre, Jonathan Joseph, will join Bath Rugby next season.

The England International is currently sidelined after missing the Exiles last four games with injury. He will join Bath, the club he scored against during Irish’ 29-22 victory at Madejski Stadium last September, in the summer.

London Irish would like to thank JJ for his efforts during his time at the Club and wish him well for the future.

Irish have bolstered their squad in recent weeks with the signings of Blair Cowan and Andrew Fenby with more players to be announced in the coming days.

Families flock to St Patrick’s Party

With only three days to go until London Irish take on Worcester Warriors in the Club’s Legendary St Patrick’s Party fixture, the family zone in the South Stand has now sold out.

The St Patrick’s Party is a date that all rugby supporters look forward to in the Aviva Premiership diary, with entertainment for all the family both inside and outside the stadium.

To allow more families to join us on Saturday, London Irish has extended the family zone into the North Stand which means kids (U15s) can now go free in certain areas of the stand with a full paying adult. The Club is delighted so many families have already organised tickets and we are hoping many more can come along too.

The car park will host the St Patrick’s Party village which will begin from 11.00am as DJ Minty takes to the stage to take supporters through a day of fun filled entertainment. Performances from The Bible Code Sunday’s, The Reels and The Paul Bowen Band will deliver the party atmosphere with Guinness trucks to accompany.

The entertainment doesn’t stop inside the stadium, at 2:30pm the Irish dancers from the O’Gara School of Irish Dance will put on a colourful display on the pitch before a sing-a-long with Ronan from the Bible Code Sunday’s when he takes to the pitch just before kick-off.

Irish trail Worcester in the Aviva Premiership table and will be looking for a win in front of a large home crowd to bridge the gap.

Bath Rugby confirm centre signing

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Bath

Bath Rugby have confirmed the signing of centre Jonathan Joseph.

21 year old Joseph, who will join Bath for the start of the 2013/14 season, has already been capped by England and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the country.

Speaking of the move, Joseph said: "I’ve loved my time with London Irish, but feel it’s time to make a move and Bath is an extremely exciting prospect. You can see what the coaches are looking to build there in terms of culture, they already have a really talented squad and I hope I can add something to that. Obviously I’m still developing as a player and I feel that Bath will give me a fantastic environment in which to do that."

Head Coach Gary Gold, added: "Jonathan is young, English and hugely talented. He is exactly the sort of player we want, and we are confident that he will indeed bring something special to the team. That he has chosen Bath as his club says a huge amount about the environment we are establishing here. We can’t wait for him to join the Club."

Tiesi eager to join Premiership fight

Posted on Jan 30, 2013 in London Welsh

New recruit Gonzalo Tiesi is delighted to be back in the Aviva Premiership, and now just can’t wait to get stuck into the thick of the action for London Welsh.

The Argentina centre, 27, who was part of the side that beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium in the autumn internationals, knows what the Premiership is all about following spells at London Irish and Harlequins and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I’m don’t know if I’m going to be involved or not [v Newport Gwent Dragons], but I’m looking forward to getting straight into the team and getting some game time,” said Tiesi.

“I’m very pleased to be back in the Premiership after a few years. It’s exciting times for London Welsh – it’s a club with a lot of history.

“I’m very excited about the squad; everyone has the goal of retaining the club’s Premiership position. I’m looking forward to the challenge and trying to add something to the team over the next four months to ensure the club’s Premiership place for next season.

“I’ve been following the team since I made the decision to come and they’ve been doing really well. They’ve surprised more than one team and hopefully we can keep doing that.”

Tiesi joined London Irish in 2004 from San Isidro Club before moving to Harlequins in 2008.
In his first season at the Stoop he helped the club reach the Premiership semi-finals and the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. He joined Stade Francais in 2011.

In all, he made 40 appearances in the Premiership during his spells at London Irish and Harlequins, while also making 26 appearances in Europe in the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup.

“I had a good time in England so it was an easy decision to come back. It’s a new club, a new atmosphere and I’m looking forward to it – I’m very excited,” he said.

“I have the experience of having played here for almost four and a half seasons, so I know what the Premiership is all about. Having played in France, the Premiership is the best competition in Europe. It allows you to develop as a player and I want to keep getting better.”

Tiesi’s recall to the national side last November came over a year after his last appearance for the Pumas, when he’d picked up an injury against England at the 2011 World Cup.

His international return, however, meant he missed the business end of the Top 14 season in Argentina, with his club side San Isidro Club reaching the play-offs before missing out. victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium, however, more than made up for that.

“That was a very good experience for me after the World Cup. It was my first international back so it was really important to me and I’ll always have a good memory of that game,” he said.

“We don’t often win at the Millennium Stadium, so it was a great experience. We took the positives out of playing against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and it will make us a lot better.”

For now, though, Tiesi’s focus is on London Welsh.

Thomas called up to England training

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in England, England Saxons

HENRY THOMAS of Sale Sharks will train with the England squad ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium (4pm, live BBC One).

Thomas has been called up to the team’s training base at Pennyhill Park as temporary injury cover for Alex Corbisiero, who remains at London Irish for treatment on his knee.

Ugo Monye (Harlequins) will also train with the squad while Freddie Burns (knee) stays at Gloucester Rugby for treatment.

England Saxons will meet up in Newcastle tomorrow morning ahead of their match with Scotland A at Kingston Park on Friday, February 1 (8pm, live on SkySports 2 HD). Shaun Knight has returned to Gloucester Rugby for treatment on a knee injury.

England Senior training squad (33)

Chris Ashton (Saracens)

Brad Barritt (Saracens)

Mouritz Botha (Saracens)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)

Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)

Alex Goode (Saracens)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

James Haskell (London Wasps)

Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)

Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)

Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

David Strettle (Saracens)

Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)

Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)

Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)

Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

David Wilson (Bath Rugby)

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

England Saxons training squad (24)

Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby)

Kieran Brookes (Leicester Tigers)

Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)

Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)

Elliot Daly (London Wasps)

Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints)

Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)

George Ford (Leicester Tigers)

Will Fraser (Saracens)

Joe Gray (Harlequins)

Jamie Gibson (London Irish)

George Lowe (Harlequins)

Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)

George Kruis (Saracens)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)

George Robson (Harlequins)

Joe Simpson (London Wasps)

Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)

Joel Tomkins (Saracens)

Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)

Christian Wade (London Wasps)

Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)