Exiles captain to leave at end of season

London Irish captain Ryan Strudwick will leave the Guinness Premiership club at the end of this season.

Second-row forward Strudwick, 32, joined the Exiles in 1998 and has made 210 first-team appearances, leading them to Powergen Cup final success four years ago.

“I am sorry my career at London Irish is drawing to a close,” he said.

“The physical demands of playing in the Premiership and Europe are increasing with each passing season, and that takes a heavy toll on your body.

“With the club competing at the top end, both in this country and in Europe, it is unlikely that things are going to get any easier for senior players like myself, so it is time to take stock and move on to a less stressful role.”