London Irish confirm squad ahead of season opener

London Irish have confirmed their squad ahead of the 2018/19 season, the Exiles welcoming 10 new faces to the club this summer.

Centre Brendan Macken, formerly of Champions Cup-winners Leinster, is Irish’s latest recruit having spent three years with Wasps in English rugby’s top table. England-capped and Premiership-winning fly-half Stephen Myler and his former teammate and England U20 centre Tom Stephenson also bring top-flight experience to the fold. USA international Bryce Campbell makes the switch from the Glendale Raptors, the Indianapolis-born centre having played under Gary Gold across the pond. 

Meanwhile, Barney Maddison and former London Irish season ticket holder Sam Twomey bolster the Exiles’ options in the second-row, with Lancastrian Matt Rogerson and Samoan international TJ Ioane competing for a back-row berth. South African prop Pat Cilliers adds depth to the front-row, while Samoan international hooker Motu Matu’u rounds off the Exiles’ summer business. 

“We’ve got a good group of players,” said Declan Kidney, London Irish director of rugby.

“They’ve worked hard through the summer and we’re looking forward to the season. The squad is in positive mood, despite pre-season results and we are hoping to give our supporters something to cheer about this season.

“Our supporters have stood by us during difficult times and now it is up to us to give them something back in return for their loyalty.”

2018/19 Squad

Forwards

Lovejoy Chawatama, Mike Coman, Blair Cowan, Sebastian De Chaves, Petrus Du Plessis, Harry Elrington, Saia Fainga’a, Conor Gilsenan, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Oliver Hoskins, Josh McNally, Max Northcote-Green, Teofilo Paulo, Dave Porecki, Gordon Reid, Manasa Saulo, Jake Schatz, Ofisa Treviranus, Franco van der Merwe, Barney Maddison, Matt Rogerson, Pat Cilliers, Sam Twomey, TJ Ioane, and Motu Matu’u

Backs

Tommy Bell, Theo Brophy Clews, Thomas Fowlie, Ciaran Hearn, Brendan Macken, Brendan McKibbin, Luke Mclean, Ben Meehan, Fergus Mulchrone, Napolioni Nalaga, Topsy Ojo, Scott Steele, Greig Tonks, Stephen Myler, Tom Stephenson and Bryce Campbell

Senior Academy

Ben Atkins, Brandon Baker, Ben Donnell, Caolan Englefield, Reuben Knight, Izaiha Moore-Aiono, Jacob Atkins, Rory Brand, Sam Collingridge, Jack Cooke, Isaac Curtis-Harris, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Austin Hay, Ben Loader, Tom Parton, Matt Williams

London Irish's first home game is against Nottingham Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday 8 September (kick-off 3pm). Tickets are available from www.lidirect.co.uk or 0118 968 1016.