ROSSLYN PARK FLOODLIT SEVENS

Tonight, (Wednesday 12th May) London Irish defend their title at the Rosslyn Park Floodlit Sevens. Fielding a strong squad, which is a mixture of youth and experience, the first game at 7.20pm against Cambridge University promises to be a fierce contest. A repeat of the final 2 seasons ago, London Irish will be looking to put the record straight, after losing to a last minute score.

The second pool game is against Blackheath at 8.40pm with the semi-final, probably versus the Army at 9.20pm, with the final being at 10.15pm.

It would be great as always to see as much support as possible. The Fields of Athenry has echoed around the ground in the last 2 years' latter stages, it would be great to hear it again.

Team from:

Matt Cannon, Kevin Brennan, Kevin Barrett, Topsy Ojo, Delon Armitage, Ollie Hoad, Neil Whitworth, Nick Kennedy, Nils Mordt, Kieran Roche.

VOTE FOR YOUR PREMIERSHIP PLAYER OF THE SEASON!

12 players have been shortlisted for the Zurich Premiership Fans' Player of the Season award and now you have your chance to cast your vote!

Each club has had a player nominated and the panel has decided that Bob Casey has been London Irish's outstanding candidate.

So it's now time for you, the rugby fan, to have your say in who should be crowned the Zurich Premiership Fans' Player of the Season.  The winning player will be announced later this month.

To vote for Bob Casey click here.

LONDON GEARS UP TO TOAST LIFE

Toast Life 2004 is a spectacular 2 day festival celebrating the wine, culture, music, entertainment, sport and culinary delights of New Zealand & Australia on  10th and 11th July 2004.

Set in the stunning grounds of Syon Park, this Summer festival is set to be a huge hit with Aussies and Kiwis living in the UK as well as Britons keen to experience the best of the Antipodes without taking a holiday.

Saturday 10th July will feature New Zealand and Sunday 11th will focus on Australia, with a host of live music, rugby, cricket, polo, wine tasting, food sampling and travel inspiration from each country on the respective days.

Top class sports action will keep fans entertained for hours with live rugby, world class polo and polocrosse being alternated in the sports arena. Hone your rugby skills at the Rugby Academy from 11.30am - 1pm on both days where London Irish will give professional coaching on the sport that has attracted more fans than ever since the Rugby World Cup!

For further information on Toast Life visit www.toastlife.co.uk or call the ticket hotline number 0870 906 3776 to book your tickets. Tickets are priced at £25 which includes a commemorative tasting glass and a glass of wine to kick start your day. Tickets to last year's festival were a sell out so early booking is recommended!

LONDON IRISH COACHING WEEK

A very successful Easter Coaching Week took place during the school holiday, with nearly 30 children enjoying coaching sessions and rugby-related games in beautiful weather. On Wednesday there was a visit from London Irish, during which match tickets, rugby balls, posters etc. were given to all the participants. On Friday Digger returned to present an autographed London Irish ball to the most improved player; an item to be treasured by the recipient. So far the feedback reveals tired, but happy, children!

Even as that week finished, thoughts moved onto the next Coaching Week which takes place between 1st and 4th June, in the half-term holiday. Once again the venue will be Redingensians RFC, and the coaching will be delivered by RFU qualified coaches. As the Monday is a Bank Holiday, there will be four days of rugby with six hours of coaching and games each day. Children can be dropped off from 8.30, with the latest collection at 4.30, and they are supervised for the full eight hours. The age range for participants is 8 - 13 years old.

For futher information call Wokingham Sport & Leisure on 0118 940 3861, http://www.wokinghamsport.co.uk or enquiries@wokinghamsport.co.uk

PLAY GOLF WITH CONOR O'SHEA

London Irish 'Official Fleet Partner', e-drive would like to offer supporters of London Irish the opportunity to win a round of golf with Conor O'Shea at the annual e-drive golf tournament. The golf day is being held at the superb Hempstead Forest Golf Club, Cranbrook, Kent on Friday 4th, June. The FREE prize draw is open to ALL Exiles supporters who have an official handicap and will prove to be a fantastic day for any golfer!!

Click here to enter the e-drive competition. The closing date for the competition is 21st May 2004

For further information about e-drive visit their website - www.e-drive.uk.com 

THANK YOU FROM NIRVANA SPA

Nirvana Spa would like to say thank you to everyone who donated to the charity collection held at the London Irish match at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday (8 May). A massive £843.02 was raised for Sir Steve Redgrave's Charitable Trust.

The collection was part of a larger fundraising event - next month two staff members from Nirvana Spa are taking part in a mammoth 15,000 mile overland expedition from the Madejski Stadium to Sydney, Australia in a Nissan Pathfinder. Crossing six countries in one month, the rally is in aid of the Sir Steve Redgrave Charitable Trust with the entire cost of the trip being funded by Nirvana Spa. 100% of all the money raised will go directly to the Sir Steve's Trust to help fund its work in the developing world.

For more information or to sponsor the Nirvana team please visit www.nirvanaspa.co.uk/rally 

HEADLINES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK
(click on the headline to see the story)

- Two Experienced Internationals Sign For London Irish
- Managing Director's Article from Match Programme
- Irish Support Sweet Chariot Tour at the Oracle
- Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final

THE BLARNEY

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E-mail Jon Salinger (jon.salinger@london-irish.com) with e-mail addresses. Let us try and spread the word of London Irish to a much greater audience.