According to a report from The Times, London Irish are under serious threat of financial ruin, with the club failing to pay their staff on time for the month of April.
The Gallagher Premiership club, who have £30 million worth of debt, are currently in take over talks with an American Consortium, who promised staff that, after missing the initial scheduled payment, they would get paid on Monday May 1.
However, the payment did not go through, leading to serious fears that the club may be heading in the same direction as Worcester Warriors and Wasps, both of whom dropped out of the Premiership after financial meltdown.
The payment of wages has since been resolved, for April, according to the Daily Mail's rugby correspondent, Chris Foy, who posted the following to Twitter:
Latest on London Irish. Players called to a meeting at 8.30 this morning where they were told by club CEO + Howard Thomas of Redstrike Group (prospective buyers) that money had been transferred for wages, which would be paid later today.
London Irish At Risk Of Going Bankrupt
Latest on London Irish. Players called to a meeting at 8.30 this morning where they were told by club CEO + Howard Thomas of Redstrike Group (prospective buyers) that money had been transferred for wages, which would be paid later today.
— Chris Foy (@FoyChris) May 2, 2023
2 September 2022; London Irish head coach Les Kiss before the pre-season friendly match between Munster and London Irish at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
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London Irish have a number of Irish players on the books, including Paddy Jackson and Hugh O'Sullivan, while Declan Kidney serves as their director of rugby and New Zealander Les Kiss is their head coach.
Should they unfurl like Worcester and Wasps, a period of intense hardship and uncertainty will lie ahead.
Players and staff from Worcester are still owed money and the club will not be reviving in the second tier of English rugby next season.
Two time Heineken Cup winners Wasps will be playing in the Championship in the upcoming season, but they are still without coaches, players, and a home ground.
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