London Irish sign Adam Coleman: Australia lock agrees to join Exiles after Waisake Naholo acquisition
The 31-cap Wallaby becomes the eighth major signing ahead of London Irish’s promotion to the Premiership
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Your support makes all the difference.London Irish have continued their summer recruitment drive with the signing of 31-cap Australia international Adam Coleman.
Just 24 hours on from announcing the future arrival of New Zealand wing Waisake Naholo, Irish confirmed that 27-year-old Wallaby lock Coleman will join the Premiership club for the 2019/20 season, once his commitments with the Australia national team at the Rugby World Cup have completed.
“I’m really looking forward to joining London Irish,” said Coleman, who will leave the Melbourne Rebels at the end of the Super Rugby season.
“It’s been clear talking to Declan (Kidney, director of rugby) and Les (Kiss, head coach) that they’ve got big ambitions for the club, and as well as a good squad already in place, they are making some exciting signings as well. The plans for moving back into London look really good as well, and it will be a privilege to be a part of that journey.
“Before I move to London I’ll be fully committed to having a good Super Rugby campaign in Melbourne and hopefully helping Australia achieve success in the World Cup.”
Coleman make his debut for Australia in 2016 and has become an ever-present in the pack under head coach Michael Cheika, who started Coleman in 29 of his 31 appearances to date. As well as the Rebels, Coleman has represented the Waratahs and the now-defunct Western Force.
Securing Coleman’s signature comes fresh off the back of Naholo’s announcement, with the 28-year-old All Black also agreeing to join the Exiles for their first season back in the Premiership once his international commitments have ended.
Their additions add to the already-completed moves for Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien, Australia trio Sekope Kepu, Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona, and Scotland prop Allan Dell.
Irish have also this week announced the signing of former Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson, who was sacked by the Irish Rugby Football Union last year during the fallout from a rape trial in which he was found not guilty. The IRFU terminated Jackson’s contract after text messages that he sent to former Ulster teammate Stuart Olding and two other defendants were revealed during the case, with the union deciding that their behaviour was unacceptable.
London Irish fans have threatened boycotts as a result of Jackson’s signing, but Kidney stressed that those concerns had been taken into consideration when weighing up the move for the 27-year-old.
“We are fully aware that there was a court case that Paddy was involved in but that has been dealt with,” said Kidney. “What has gone on in the past had gone on in the past and we are just trying to move on to the future.
“We are trying to put the best team together and when someone with a bit of international experience becomes available and is willing to buy into what we are doing, we are very happy to have them.”
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