MEDIA DAY AT LONDON IRISH

London Irish announced today that Ryan Strudwick has been reappointed Club and first team captain for the new season. This will be Ryan's third season leading the Exiles.

For this story and other announcements made at yesterday's media day, please click on the approproiate headline for the full story: 

RYAN STRUDWICK REAPPOINTED CAPTAIN AT LONDON IRISH

OPTIMISM FOR THE NEW SEASON AT LONDON IRISH

LONDON IRISH SQUAD HAS STRENGTH IN DEPTH

PROGRESS AT THE LONDON IRISH ENGLAND RUGBY ACADEMY

PLAYERS CONFIRMED FOR BROAD STREET TAVERN

London Irish has confirmed the 10 players to attend the season ticket holder night at the Broad Street Tavern in Wokingham tomorrow night (Thursday, 26 August).  The players will be in attendance from 7.30pm until 9pm and will include the London Irish captain Ryan Strudwick.

The other players in attendance will include new signings Rodd Penney, Robbie Russell and Richard Skuse.  Four of the younger Academy players will be present - Delon Armitage, Gary Johnson, Dominic Shabbo and Richard Thorpe.  Established London Irish stars Nick Kennedy, Mark Mapletoft and Captain Ryan Strudwick will also make an appearance.

The players are fresh back from pre-season tour to Ireland, where they recorded wins over Munster and Connacht.  With the start of the season rapidly approaching on Saturday, 4 September, the special night at the Wokingham pub will offer London Irish season ticket holders the chance to meet a few of the players and hear their opinions about pre-season training and the new season. 

The Broad Street Tavern is situated at 29 Broad Street, and is a 10 minute walk from Wokingham station.  Parking has been arranged for those attending in the Waitrose car park, entrance in Rectory Road.  The Paddocks public car park in Elms Road will also be open.

NEW OVERSEAS PROPERTY PARTNER ANNOUNCED 

Millennium Worldwide Real Estate is the latest international company to join London Irish's stable of official partners. The UK, Spain and USA based company has signed a sponsorship agreement with the club for the coming season.

Formed in 1999, Millennium is dedicated to acquiring new and resale property in outstanding locations in Cyprus, Spain and the United States. The company provides a full service including arranging all finance, legal and immigration requirements of clients.

Derek McGauley, the company's Director of Operations-Spain said, "Our mission is to help our clients translate their dreams into the ideal property, be it a permanent residence or holiday home. We are sure London Irish's well travelled supporters will find something to interest them in our portfolio."

Millennium has property exhibitions in various European locations weekly and in the United States monthly. London Irish supporters are invited to come along to any of them to see the properties on offer. These include apartments, bungalows, chalets, duplex and triple town houses, villas as well as country and 'finca' style properties.

"Millennium Worldwide is a welcome and novel addition to our growing list of official partners," said Pat Coyne, Commercial Director of London Irish, "We look forward to helping to raise the company's profile and to bringing its property portfolio to the attention of rugby followers in this country."

For information about the company's exhibition schedule, individual properties or to receive a copy of its bimonthly magazine please visit www.millenniumworldwide.com or call Freephone 0800 0282 999

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE - LISC ACCOMODATION & TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Auch -v- London Irish
Saturday 23rd October 2004 - K.O. time to be advised

Following extensive enquiries we have only been able to source limited accommodation in Auch of an appropriate standard. Accordingly, it has therefore been decided to stay in central TOULOUSE with coach transfer to/from the match (it's only 70km).

Flights
In view of the number of flights offers available, and the variety of departure locations, supporters are advised to book directly on line. If assistance is required, or in the event of difficulties, St Clare's Travel will be pleased to assist.

Eurostar/TGV
For those who prefer to travel by Eurostar/TGV to Toulouse please contact St. Clare's Travel who will be pleased to assist.

LISC Hotel Package
Two nights ( 22nd and 23rd October ) Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a Toulouse centre town hotel with coach transfer Toulouse/Auch/Toulouse. At present we have a limited number of rooms available and these will be sold on a first come first served basis.

LISC Members Price

a) £61.00 per person in a twin room
b) £96.00 per person in a single room
Additional nights (Sunday 24th October) are available as follows:
a) £26.00 per person in a twin room
b) £45.00 per person per night

 A non-member surcharge of £10.00 per person will apply

All enquiries and reservations, with full payment, to Clare or Tony at:

St Clare's Travel,
79 Quintilis,
Bracknell,
Berkshire,
RG12 7QQ
Telephone / fax: 01344 641524
Email: tony.stclares@ntlworld.com
 
Cheques should be made payable to St. Clare's Travel.
Credit card payments accepted subject to a £5.00 surcharge.
Travel Insurance (recommended) available at an additional cost of £12.00 per person.

In the event of cancellation or no show, NO refunds will be made.

POSTCARD FROM BOB CASEY

To find out what Bob got up to over the summer, click here.

LONDON DOUBLE HEADER HOSPITALITY

There are a few packages left for this event, at £100 per person, please contact Kelly on 01932 750113 by close of business this Friday, 27th August.

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

- London Double Header set to Break Record Zurich Premiership Attendance
- Season Ticket Sales Increase Across the Zurich Premiership
- Another Win in Galway
 

THE BLARNEY

Over 10,400 people have currently subscribed to the Blarney; do you forward this to your mates? Or do you print it out and pass it around? Well, why not provide us with their e-mail address so that they can receive their own personal copy.

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.