London Irish KICKED OUT of Premiership, not in ‘any league’ next year

London Irish have been kicked out of English rugby after failing to meet funding deadlines set by its governing body the RFU.

The club were given until 4pm today to either finalise a takeover of the Premiership outfit – who share a ground with Premier League football club Brentford – by an American consortium or prove that they could survive the next 12 months under current owner Mick Crossan.

The deadline was originally set for last week but the RFU handed the club a one-week extension to ensure that players could receive some of their wages – believed to be 50 per cent. 

The club also face a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs, though this was likely to have been a minor stumbling block for any takeover deal with the funds to complete their purchase.

A London Irish source told City A.M. that they were “devastated” and that the future is “bleak and uncertai