London Irish could return to professional rugby with new owners in place
London Irish could return to professional rugby with new owners in place
Charles RichardsonFri, October 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM UTC
0
London Irish last played a professional match in 2023 - Getty Images/Alex Davidson
London Irish are under new ownership and are hoping for a return to professional rugby next season.
Gamechanger Investments Ltd, led by Steve and Sarah Daniels, has acquired the club’s name, brand and associated intellectual property “for an undisclosed fee” from Kyle Jordan, son of late Formula One legend Eddie, and Daniel McKeown, who had hoped to enter the club into the United Rugby Championship, a move which was opposed by the Rugby Football Union.
Jamie Balls MBE, a former chairman of the amateur club, oversaw the takeover from Jordan and McKeown and will become the chief executive of the new professional arm. He would welcome a place in the Champ, English rugby’s second tier, at the “earliest opportunity”.
“If next season were an opportunity and they would allow us to do so, we would like to go then. If it’s not, then we’ll wait another year,” Balls told BBC Sport.
The Exiles fell into administration in 2023 and have not competed professionally since. London Irish Amateur RFC are still an entity, however, and they have given their backing to this takeover, with hopes that the Exiles will return to the English rugby pyramid in 2027.
Advertisement
Steve Daniels, the new owner and chairman of London Irish, said: “London Irish is a huge name in rugby and means a great deal to a lot of people. We want to get the club back where it belongs – on the pitch and competing again.
“Completing this deal is a major step, but there is plenty of work ahead. We are determined to get the foundations right and build a club that is competitive, sustainable and gives supporters something to believe in. We want London Irish firmly back on the rugby map.”
Balls added: “Our focus is on creating a resilient, self-sustaining rugby organisation that can stand on its own feet from day one, with the foundations in place to deliver long-term stability, growth and future opportunities.
“The immediate priority is to establish the infrastructure needed for the relaunch, including a dedicated communications and media operation and full access to the club’s digital assets.
“Details of the proposed home ground, competition pathway and wider plans will follow.”
Source: “AOL Sports”
