London Irish have been taken over by a consortium backed by the former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan and could apply to play in the United Rugby Championship.
Telegraph Sport revealed on Tuesday that the preferred bidder, German businessman Daniel Loitz, was withdrawing from the process after “the parameters of the deal were subject to frequent and unexplained changes”.
However, the consortium backed by Jordan, who emerged as an interested party in October last year, have now moved ahead with a purchase of London Irish’s intellectual property, brand and rights, but not their Hazelwood training base.
Jordan’s consortium also completed a purchase of AS Béziers Hérault in France’s ProD2 in November last year. To adhere to European rugby rules regarding multiple-club ownership, Irish’s news owners are officially Strangford Ellis Ltd, an investment vehicle managed by Jordan Associates.
The club aim to return to professional rugby in 2026, having fallen into administration in June 2023 with unpaid debts of around £30m after a takeover by an American consortium fell through.
“The primary goal of the new ownership is to return London Irish Rugby Club to the pinnacle of international professional club rugby, aiming for a swift return to top-flight competition,” the new owners told The Times on Tuesday.
Based on that statement, the club are expected to explore entry into the URC rather than apply to go through the English league system, with Worcester Warriors in the process of applying to return by starting in the Championship.
Loitz, in a statement on behalf of his company Hokulani Limited which was sent to Telegraph Sport, made clear that he had wanted to purchase Irish’s Hazelwood training base as well as the club’s IP and brand, having provided proof of funds on two occasions to the administrators, ReSolve.
“It is disheartening to consider the potential consequences of this process for the rugby community, particularly at Hazelwood. Should the administrators and other stakeholders choose a path that jeopardises the future of rugby at this historic site, that decision will rest with them,” read the statement.
“Hokulani Limited’s vision has always been clear: to preserve and enhance the legacy of London Irish, ensuring that Hazelwood remains a thriving hub for the sport and its supporters. Our financial package was designed to deliver on this vision, backed by the necessary resources and a deep respect for the club’s heritage.”
The club were previously tenants of Brentford Football Club at the Gtech Community Stadium before their financial collapse, finishing their final season in the Gallagher Premiership in fifth place.
