Oliver Hoskins joins London Irish on a 2-year deal

From SkyNews in the UK:

"London Irish have signed prop Oliver Hoskins on a two-year deal from Australian Super Rugby side Western Force.

Hoskins, 23, who has represented Australia at U20 level, has made 26 appearances for the Force since making his debut in 2014.

"I'm really excited at the prospect of joining London Irish and looking at the players that have joined, it is clear the club is genuinely building for the future," said Perth-born Hoskins.

"The facilities that the club has at its disposal and the squad that has been assembled shows the vision and ambition London Irish has to succeed at the top level. I look forward to joining the club in the summer."

London Irish head of rugby operations Glenn Delaney said: "We have already recruited a number of exciting prospects to the squad for next season and Oliver is another player we can add to that list.

"He is a dynamic ball carrier with a good set-piece game and we feel his attributes will suit northern hemisphere rugby."

I personally hope that NH rugby improves his scrummaging game, since he was pretty good around the park, but wasn't really up to standard in the scrum.

Then he can come back and lock down his side of the scrum for us after the development is complete.

Oh and congrats on the new contract Ollie!

No great loss for the reason the bloke above mentioned, good around the park but hopeless come scrum time.

Looks like the Exiles are getting relegated this year. Lost a dog fight with Newcastle last round

It's a long time since I've been called "the bloke above"

It's better that useless f@€£wit who knows nothing about rugby" I guess

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Originally Posted by WFDom

Looks like the Exiles are getting relegated this year. Lost a dog fight with Newcastle last round

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Yeah they'll be in the Championship next season. Interesting choice of club by Ollie. I wish him all the very best though :-))

Unlucky London Irish..

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Originally Posted by WFDom

Looks like the Exiles are getting relegated this year. Lost a dog fight with Newcastle last round

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That might mean they loose a few of their internationals (they currently have 4 international props, including Ben Franks) so maybe Ollie is part of their rebuilding process.

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Originally Posted by Sheikh

That might mean they loose a few of their internationals (they currently have 4 international props, including Ben Franks) so maybe Ollie is part of their rebuilding process.

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Useless Trivia - Ben Franks was the only Australian to play in the winning RWC 2011 team.......born in, of all places Frankstown, Victoria!

Frankston, but cool story man!

Wikipedia actually lists it as "Melbourne"

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Originally Posted by GIGS20

Frankston, but cool story man!

Wikipedia actually lists it as "Melbourne"

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And that's a reliable sauce ;)

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Originally Posted by Sheikh

That might mean they loose a few of their internationals (they currently have 4 international props, including Ben Franks) so maybe Ollie is part of their rebuilding process.

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can we do a trade for any of them?

I actually think there are a lot of positives for our jnrs getting contracts overseas. Shows everyone that they can make a living (for a short period) overseas off our game. Differentiates us from the AFL types. Good luck to the lad and I hope he makes every post a winner over there.

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Originally Posted by Alison

Yeah they'll be in the Championship next season. Interesting choice of club by Ollie. I wish him all the very best though :-))

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A lot of the players have "get out" clauses in their contracts, if there is relegation they can jump ship. A few "bigger" name players are about to jump ship so the Irish are casting their net about. I think Scot Tolmie is still there - he may have put a good word in for Ollie. Either way, as you say good luck, it's a great chance for him - maybe another guy who'll benefit from a change of scenery. Imagine that in your 20s travelling the world playing rugby Yehaar.

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Originally Posted by Ralto

A lot of the players have "get out" clauses in their contracts, if there is relegation they can jump ship. A few "bigger" name players are about to jump ship so the Irish are casting their net about. I think Scot Tolmie is still there - he may have put a good word in for Ollie. Either way, as you say good luck, it's a great chance for him - maybe another guy who'll benefit from a change of scenery. Imagine that in your 20s travelling the world playing rugby Yehaar.

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Scott Tomlie left London Irish Academy a few years ago now.

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Originally Posted by Reds81

Scott Tomlie left London Irish Academy a few years ago now.

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Scott Tolmie is with Moseley now. Playing hooker.

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Originally Posted by Reds81

Scott Tomlie left London Irish Academy a few years ago now.

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Thanks, Reds81, I just can't trust my "research" minions these days.

What was the overall consensus on Scott Tolmie? Was he a potential Super Rugby quality player?

Chatted to Ollie's mum at the Brisbane Hotel on Friday night before the game against Kagifa Samoa- had already had quite a few. so was very chatty! Ollie still in London

Just had a look at the London Irish squad for next season. There's still time for them to make more signings, but they could put out the following side:

1. Allan Dell (Sco)
2. Saia Fainga'a (Aus)
3. Sekope Kepu (Aus)
4. Franco van der Merwe (SA)
5. Adam Coleman (Aus)
6. Sean O'Brien (Ire)
7. TJ Ioane (Sam)
8. Blair Cowan (Sco)
9. Nick Phipps (Aus)
10. Paddy Jackson (Ire)
11. Curtis Rona (Aus)
12. Brendan Macken (Ire)
13. Bryce Campbell (USA)
14. Waisake Naholo (NZ)
15. Alivereti Veitokani (Fiji)

And they could still have 4 more internationals on the bench!

Ollie should still see some action off the bench, though.