Irish to play out of Brentford’s ground

RUGBY UNION: London Irish will play their home games at the new Brentford Community Stadium from 2020.

The Championship leaders have reached an agreement with Brentford Football Club to play at the west London stadium, which is under construction and will have a capacity of 17,250. It is due to open in 2020.

Irish, who are favourites for promotion to the Gallagher Premiership this season, have played at Reading’s Madejski Stadium for the last 18 years.

The Berkshire ground is 30 miles away from Irish’s training base in Sunbury, and they have had a long-held ambition to return to west London.

Ireland forward Iain n Henderson has been ruled out for nearly three months to leave his participation in the Six Nations in doubt.

The 26-year-old underwent surgery on a torn ligament in his thumb, with Ulster announcing he is expected to be out for “approximately 10 weeks”.