London Irish at risk of Premiership ban after RFU sets deadline for takeover

London Irish will be suspended from next season’s Premiership unless the proposed takeover by a US consortium is completed by 30 May or the club provide proof of funding for the entire 2023-24 campaign, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has warned.

The ultimatum from the RFU comes amid fears the protracted takeover will drag on over the summer and into next season, and heightens the prospect of a third club being thrown out of the Premiership in eight months.

The RFU cited the need for certainty for players, staff and fans of the club and, although insiders have been hopeful the takeover will be completed, the RFU’s intervention is a deeply worrying sign given the impending deadline.

For Irish to avoid being kicked out of the Premiership, the takeover must be completed and approved by the RFU with the buyers undertaking to provide all required working capital to meet the club’s obligations for at least next season.

Failing that, the Exiles must demonstrate capacity to fund the club next term. Expulsion would be a colossal blow for the Premiership given the demises of Wasps and Worcester this season.

This month the current owner, Mick Crossan, finally stepped in to belatedly pay the players’ April wages after the delay led the squad to consider boycotting their final match of the season, to demand physical proof they were insured to take part in it and to consider submitting breach-of-contract letters.

It remains to be seen if Crossan can continue to fund the club next term if the takeover is not completed before the RFU’s deadline, given Irish have debts of around £30m and he has been looking to sell all season. That they are tenants of the Gtech Community Stadium makes them a less attractive proposition for investors,