London Irish

London Irish returned to the Greene King IPA Championship for 2018/19 after their relegation from the Premiership last season.

The Exiles were crowned champions of the division in 2016/17 when they beat Yorkshire Carnegie over a two-leg play-off to move up to the top flight.

The club was formed in 1898 after London Scottish and London Welsh had been established, and they play at the 24,161 capacity Madejski Stadium in Reading.

Current director of rugby Declan Kidney was appointed in March 2018 along with head coach Less Kiss, but the pair could not prevent the club’s relegation from the top flight last season.