London Irish expected to be suspended from Premiership on Tuesday

The final curtain is set to fall on London Irish on Tuesday as the Premiership awaits the latest sad development in a grim domestic season. The Exiles have been given until 4pm (BST) to finalise their long-mooted American takeover and there is a heavy sense of resignation in the air.

It is understood the Rugby Football Union will make a formal announcement at around 7pm on Tuesday once it has been confirmed whether or not Irish have satisfied the two key requirements they were ordered to meet last week. The RFU either wants to see conclusive proof of the proposed takeover or receive a commitment from the club’s owner, Mick Crossan, that he will continue to fund the club next season. The players and staff are still awaiting 50% of their May salaries.

With the club having now received a further hit in the form of a winding‑up petition by HM Revenue and Customs for unpaid tax, the mood has grown steadily darker in recent days despite the continuing insistence of the US-based consortium that work has been continuing “around the clock” over the weekend to make the deal happen.

It is understood the main American interest has always revolved around the Exiles’ training ground in Sunbury-on-Thames, which is seen as a potential home for a London-based NFL franchise. With Brentford not keen to extend Irish’s lease at the Gtech Community Stadium and Crossan reluctant to continue funding the loss-making club, the playing squad and staff have been operating in a climate of uncertainty for months.

Assuming Irish’s suspension from the Premiership is rubber-stamped, it will be the third major blow to English club rugby’s reputation inside nine months. Worcester went into administration in September while the cash-strapped Wasps were