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Six foot eight, 122kg Wallaby lock in London Irish's sights
By Alex Shaw
London Irish are clearly getting more confident about their chances of being a Gallagher Premiership club next season, as they ramp up their recruitment plans for the 2019/20 campaign.
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The Greene King IPA Championship club have already announced the signing of Edinburgh and Scotland prop Allan Dell, with the British and Irish Lion set to make the move to Hazelwood in the summer.
The club have also been linked with big-money moves for Steve Mafi and Paddy Jackson, whilst Director of Rugby Declan Kidney is also believed to have an interest in Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland.
The latest name to be linked with the side, who seem to be emphatically dusting off the chequebook with the incoming investment from CVC, is Wallaby lock Adam Coleman.
The Melbourne Rebels second row has been an integral part of the Australian pack since making his debut in 2016 and though the fortunes of the national team have waxed and waned, his performances in the engine room have drawn consistent praise. All but two of his appearances for the Wallabies have come as a starter.
With a number of players set to leave Australia after the Rugby World Cup, RugbyPass understand that Coleman is at the top of Irish’s wishlist and that they are in advanced talks over bringing the 31-cap Wallaby to the club. With a lineout score of 81, which contributes to an overall RPI of 82, Coleman is the 8th highest ranked lock in Super Rugby as stands and would bring significant ability to Irish, who, if promoted, will likely be battling against relegation next season.
Kidney has already bolstered the playing squad with the midseason addition of versatile lock/flanker Albert Tuisue, but the club are set to lose Josh McNally to Bath in the summer, making their need for further reinforcements in the engine room even more urgent.
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Coleman, 27, stands at just over 6’ 8” and has been an effective operator at the lineout for both Australia and the Rebels, who he joined in 2018, following head coach Dave Wessels from Western Force after the franchise was cut from Super Rugby.
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