London Irish players at John Lewis in Reading

If you will be doing your Christmas shopping in Reading town centre this December, there’s a chance you may bump into some familiar faces.

London Irish players and Digger the mascot will be in the John Lewis store on Broad Street in Reading on Saturday 7 December from 3.30pm to 5pm.

Every festive season the department store sets up a Christmas Shop on the ground floor, and this year the Exiles will be occupying the central atrium to meet supporters, take photos and sign autographs.

For shoppers stuck for present ideas, there will be an exclusive one-off ticket offer for London Irish’s biggest game of the year so far, the Gallagher Premiership clash against Bath Rugby on Sunday 22 December. A special discount will be applied to all tickets bought in person at the event, making it the ideal early Christmas gift.

There will also be an opportunity to enter a competition to really kick off your Christmas in style. London Irish are offering one lucky rugby fan use of a private hospitality box for ten people at the Bath game. Food and drink will be included, and there will be visit from first team players at half-time with a signed shirt presented to the winner!

One of the players confirmed to attend the event is one of London Irish’s summer signings Seán O’Brien. The British & Irish Lion links up with the Exiles at the start of December, making the event the flankers first appearance as a London Irish player.

If you are in Reading on Saturday 7 December, be sure to stop by and say hello!