Exiles sign Wallabies scrum-half

London Irish has today announced the signing of Nick Phipps ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Phipps, a 30-year-old scrum-half, has been a mainstay of the Australian national team since his debut in 2011, and has 71 international caps to his name, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

A Super Rugby winner with New South Wales Waratahs, Phipps was the province’s captain in 2018 and is a member of the distinguished group to have played over 100 games in the tournament. A winner of the Waratah Medal for on-field and off-field excellence in 2016, Phipps is an ambassador of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“It's an exciting time for me to be joining London Irish,” Phipps says. “They have a rich tradition, there is a vision with clear goals and a new stadium coming. Hopefully with my experiences from playing for Australia and in Super Rugby I can bring something to the club, contributing both on and off the field in an unbelievable city.”

Phipps will arrive at Hazelwood at the end of his Australian contractual commitments, and Director of Rugby Declan Kidney says that his experience will make him a good addition to the Exiles’ squad.

“Our focus is on winning the Championship and we’re not taking anything for granted, but we also have to plan our recruitment and are delighted that Nick wants to join us,” he said.

“He has plenty of experience, both in terms of playing as well as leadership, and both of these will be important as we build for the future.”

Tickets for London Irish's home games are available from ticketing.londonirish.net or by calling 0118 968 1016.