Legend Kennedy walks out on Irish
NICK KENNEDY has shocked London Irish by quitting as director of rugby at the club propping up the Premiership.
Irish had offered Kennedy, below, the chance to work alongside newlyappointed technical consultant Declan Kidney and head coach Les Kiss but he instead resigned yesterday.
Kennedy, who played for Irish from 2001 to 2011, had been director of rugby at the club since 2016 and oversaw the Exiles’ promotion from the Championship last season.
Chief executive Brian Facer expressed his shock at Kennedy’s decision. “Nick’s a legend of the club. He has been with us all of his playing career so it was a surprise to see him resign,” he said.
“We were quite keen to keep him on as director of rugby full stop so it was a surprise that he didn’t want to stay for that opportunity.”
Kidney, 58, was head coach of Ireland when they won the Grand Slam in 2009, a success that came with Australian Kiss on his staff as defence coach.
Irish will face Gloucester in Reading tomorrow, attempting to salvage something from a season that currently sees them sitting 12 points adrift at the foot of the table with five matches left.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Joseph and Taulupe Faletau will return to the Bath starting line-up for tonight’s Premiership clash with Exeter.
The visitors will have Don Armand and Sam Simmonds back after they, with Joseph, played in England’s 24-15 defeat to Ireland last Saturday.
Bath v Exeter, 7.45pm tonight, BT Sport.