Rugby Union Clubs
London Irish
Madejski Stadium
Junction 11, M4
Reading
RG2 0FL | map
Berkshire
Tel: +44 (0) 118 987 9730
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London Irish Rugby Football Club was established in 1898 in order to provide a sporting club and a place for relaxation and enjoyment for young Irish men who had found themselves in London for employment or education. The idea was modelled on the London Scottish and London Welsh clubs that had achieved similar aims for the Scots and the Welsh in London. The club was launched by some powerful Irish politicians, businessmen and lawyers. By the time the club got to its first match they had put together quite a team on the field and were soon playing regular fixtures against the other top London sides such as Blackheath, Rosslyn Park, Saracens and Wasps. During the 1920s the club produced its first home grown internationals for Ireland and in 1931 moved to Sunbury, where it played until recently when the club became tenants of Reading F.C. at the Madejski Stadium. Most fans still consider Sunbury to be the teams spiritual home. In 2002 the team managed to win its first major piece of silverware, when The Exiles (as they are also known) beat Northampton Saints in the final of what is now the EDF Energy cup.
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