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London Irish fans glad to see current stars stay despite star influx

London Irish players celebrate their promotion-clinching win at London Scottish last month (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

London Irish have been very busy over the past couple of weeks recruiting ahead of their return to the Premiership next season.

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Declan Kidney’s side have secured the services of All Black Waisake Naholo, Australia international Adam Coleman and former Ireland international Paddy Jackson to go alongside the likes of Nick Phipps and Sean O’Brien who signed a few months ago.

However, the fear with signings like these is that it would oust the current crop of players that have earned promotion this season. This happened with London Welsh a few seasons ago where they released a huge host of players after getting promoted. It did not pay off, and it equally did not prove to be a popular decision amongst fans.

Therefore, the Exiles have made a great move in re-signing Conor Gilsenan and Lovejoy Chawatama ahead of next season. The flanker Gilsenan and prop Chawatama have been important members of the Irish squad this season, and many fans on Twitter are glad to see them stay with the club.

It would be unfair to release a huge portion of their squad, and these Irish players deserve to stay at the club.

Not only are the fans glad to see two popular figures remain at the Madejski Stadium, but it will give the squad some depth which will complement the stars that are incoming. This is what the fans have said:

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London Irish look to be a team that are not simply happy to survive in the Premiership next season, they want to become a force again. They have rampantly signed a wealth of international stars to do this, but retaining their current squad will also be integral to the cohesion of the team.

Irish may be striking a good balance here between the old and the new, and can look forward to a successful campaign.

WATCH: A blast from the past behind the scenes look at London Irish by RugbyPass when the club was last in the Premiership

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H
Hellhound 48 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I'm no fan of Du Point, but I am not blind. I will go as far as agree to disagree. Without him the French wouldn't nearly have been so good. He has made game saving tackles, he has steered the French to victory in most of his games. He creates try assists that should not have been.


His kicking is very accurate, and if he was a Bok, he would be in the team. Roigard is very good, but he is no Du Point. He is a generational talent. You dislike him BECAUSE everyone is so hyped about him, NOT because he is a very good player.


It's the same with me. It irritates me, but I am not blind. ANYONE saying he isn't good, is definitely lying to themselves. Do yourself a favour. Go and look at highlights about him on YouTube or somewhere. Really have a look. Without prejudice.


He isn't as lucky as other players to have the kind of players like SA and NZ have, although currently the French forwards is the biggest on the planet. To my shame I must admit that every game I see him play, I hope someone injures him which is very very wrong. It's just that he is THAT GOOD. There is no other players that I ever wished for that, because they are just not in his class.


No, stop lying to yourself. Go look at his stats. He is responsible for at least 60%-70% of the French score every game. Creating tries, scoring himself or assist, pin point kicking, creating gaps, tackles like a machine, slippery as hell and always tries to dominate a ref which is starting to count against him, but don't be fooled. I haven't even mentioned half of what he does. He inspires that team in a way other players can never do.


There is no other scrumhalf in the world like him, and there will never be again. I hate the French and I hate Du Point, but there is no denying his talent. If he played for your team, you would have raved and absolutely loved him. That is not to say Roigard isn't good. He is very good too.

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