Club profile: London Irish

Naka Drotske has signed for the Exiles

With a new seven year agreement which secures their home at Reading's Madejski Stadium, the Exiles will be hoping to improve on last year's mediocre performance.

Irish are banking on the return of former Sprinbok centre Brendan Venter as player/coach to spark an upturn in fortunes after an otherwise quiet summer in the transfer market.

They will also be hoping their only other genuine star, Irish international Conor O'Shea, overcomes his lengthy injury problems and helps them to build on the attacking XV-man game that made them so popular during recent seasons.

Venter will join up with former 'Bok hooker Naka Drotske to strengthen a squad containing few big stars.

Justin Bishop (Ireland), Eddie Halvey (Ireland), Rob Hardwick (England), Chris Sheasby (England) and Steve Williams (Wales) are the only other players with international experience in the set-up.

And although Venter will be keen for Irish to break into the top half of the league they are more likely to find themselves fighting it out for last place.

Facts and figures:

Ground: Madejski Stadium
Coach: Brendan Venter
Captain: Ryan Strudwick
Last season: 8th

Players in: Naka Drotske (Free State), Brendan Venter (Free State), Michael Horak (Free State), James Brown (Neath), Darren Edwards (Newport), Craig Turvey (Coventry), Richard Hoskins (Penzance).

Players out: Kieran Campbell (Ulster), Graeme Haley (retired), Rob Ashforth (full-time education).