Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Irish, Premiership
London Irish have confirmed today that Toby Booth, Justin Bishop and Neal Hatley will be leaving the Club.
Toby and Neal have decided to join the new coaching set up at Bath Rugby, which has been announced today. Justin has decided to progress onto new opportunities within rugby and will announce his next move in due course.
Andy Martin, London Irish’s Chief Executive said: “Toby, Justin and Neal have been at the heart of London Irish for many years and we are all extremely proud of their achievements. Toby has led the team through one of its most successful ever periods and they have all been instrumental in recruiting and developing some of the Club’s most outstanding talent. We are extremely sad that they are leaving, however we understand the lure of career progression and so we sincerely thank them for their unfaltering commitment to London Irish and wish them all the very best of luck in their new endeavours.
“Our plans for next season are shaping up well. We have made some very strong player signings over the last few weeks to add to our existing talent and our priority now is to ensure that we have an equally strong back room set up under Brian Smith. Those wheels are already very much in motion and we will make further announcements as soon as possible.”
After joining the club as Assistant Academy Manager over a decade ago in January 2002, Toby Booth rose quickly up the ranks and was appointed as the Exiles’ Head Coach in 2008. He steered the Club through its most successful period of the professional era – leading the squad through a Premiership Final as well as securing qualification for the Heineken Cup for the three consecutive seasons. From 2003 his involvement with the Exiles’ senior squad increased and in 2004 he took on responsibility for the scrum and lineout. He was appointed Forwards Coach in June 2005 and since that time the London Irish pack has consistently been among the most effective in the Premiership. He was also forwards coach of the England Saxons team that successfully defended the Barclays Churchill Cup in June 2008.
Toby said: “After 10 years London Irish will always be part of me and the decision to leave was not taken lightly especially after the fantastic support shown to me by the fans throughout my time here. Moving is going to be a big change but I feel now is the right time for a fresh challenge. I have worked with fantastic players and coaches over the years and I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me. I wish London Irish the very best of luck for the future.”
Justin Bishop has been the London Irish Defence Coach this season. Prior to this he was Assistant Academy Manager. He enjoyed an illustrious playing career for the club playing 280 games for the Exiles, scoring 58 tries. He also represented Ireland on 25 occasions, scoring eight tries. He received the London Irish Player’s Player of the Season Award in 2000/2001 and London Irish Try of the Season in the same year. Justin was named Irish Post Awards Sports Personality of the Year 2006.
Justin Bishop said: “I have enjoyed almost two decades at London Irish and will go away with some fantastic memories, both as a player and a coach. It has been a privilege to be a part of but it is now time to move on and experience some new opportunities within rugby.”
Neal Hatley has been the London Irish Academy Manager since 2008 and has been assisting with the 1st XV forwards for the past two seasons. Prior to this, for over a decade, Neal enjoyed a successful career as a prop forward in the London Irish front row after joining the club in 1998. Playing over 250 top class games for the Exiles, Neal received Player of the year and Players Player of the year during his playing time at Irish. He also represented England A and was a senior England Tourist in 2003. In 2007 he captained the England Saxons side to Churchill Cup success, lifting the trophy after his side defeated New Zealand Maori at Twickenham.
Neal Hatley said: “London Irish has been a huge part of my life for so long and the decision to leave was a very difficult one. However the chance to further my career and become a forwards coach at a club like Bath was too difficult to pass up. I would like to thank everyone associated with the club and wish everyone at London Irish the very best for the future.”
All three coaches have played a pivotal role in the development of the Club’s home grown talent and can be credited for the outstanding progress of young players such as Delon Armitage, Topsy Ojo, David Paice, Nick Kennedy Alex Corbisiero, Jonathan Joseph, Tom Homer, Jamie Gibson and Anthony Watson.
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