Young Exiles On The Rise

Back-row player John Lake, who started playing for the Irish Exiles U18 side whilst still at Brighton College, is included in the London Irish Squad currently training in Ireland and will play part of the game against Leinster.

The 20 year old has been training with the senior London Irish Squad all summer and is captain of their U21 side this season. With Eddie Halvey’s move to Munster, John is likely to get a lot more opportunities with the first team this coming season. London Irish Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, has no doubt that John will be pushing hard for a place in this year’s Ireland U21 squad.

Another young Exile getting his first taste of senior rugby is Robbie Shaw. Robbie, who was in the Ireland U19 FIRA Squad, will get a run out for London Wasps in their game with French 1st division side, Montferrand, in France on Saturday evening.

London Wasps Director of Rugby, Warren Gatland, sees this as another step in the development programme for the 19 year old scrum half, who played most of last season for Wasps U21’s.

The Exiles commence their programme for the season on Sunday 25 August, with U18 and U21 squad sessions. Fixtures commence with an U21 game v. Ulster at Brunel University on Sunday 1 September. A fairly hectic schedule then ensues, including U18 games v. Connacht and Munster in Ireland, on 20 & 22 September respectively.