London Irish failure to pay players and staff sparks questions from RFU

Saracens' Jackson Wray (centre) tackled by London Irish's Rory Jennings (second left) during the Gallagher Premiership match at the StoneX Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday April 23, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story RUGBYU Saracens. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

ENGLAND'S Rugby Football Union is seeking answers from London Irish over their failure to pay players and staff on time amid fears the Exiles could be the latest Premiership club to collapse.

Players and staff were told at the back end of last week that wages would be late but were expected to arrive on Monday, only for a further delay to take place. Club insiders sought to play down the delay, citing the bank holiday as a contributing factor, but there were also concerns over March’s wages before the US consortium seeking to invest in the club footed the bill. “The RFU has contacted London Irish to seek reassurance that staff and players will receive wages imminently,” read a brief statement.