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Coleman offloads as he is tackled by Garry Ringrose during last summer's second Test against Ireland. AAP/PA Images

Another day, another international signed by London Irish as Wallabies lock moves to Exiles

Declan Kidney and Les Kiss are adding Test pedigree throughout their squad.

AUSTRALIA SECOND ROW Adam Coleman is the latest big name on London Irish’s list of incoming players for their return to the Premiership next season.

On the heels of the Exiles announcing that All Black Waisake Naholo would be among their ranks, Declan Kidney’s side today confirmed that the 6′ 8″ Melbourne Rebels captain will bolster their back.

Coleman, 27, has won 31 Test caps for the Wallabies and he will build on that tally at this year’s World Cup before joining his new employers in England.

“We have a strong set of forwards, but know that we need strength in depth if we want to be competitive,” Kidney said in today’s statement. 

“Adam is a quality player and we’re delighted he has chosen to come and join London Irish. We are looking forward to welcoming him to Hazelwood later in the year.”

Irish have not held back on spending since completing their promotion-winning campaign in the Championship with Sean O’Brien, Paddy Jackson, Scotland’s Alan Dell and Australian trio Nick Phipps, Curtis Riona and Sekope Kepu also headed for the Exiles.

Irish will continue to play at the Madejski Stadium, home of Reading FC, next season but in 2020 they will move back to London and share with Brentford FC in a new ground across the Thames from Kew Gardens.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 29th 2019, 10:08 AM

    Tough blow to lose so many important players. Molony and Penny were two of the stars of the 6 Nations while Byrne and Hackshaw were key playmakers at 10 and 12 with Hacksahw being the captain. I’d fancy Allison to come into the backrow instead of Molony without too much drop off in quality as he might have started if he’d been fit for the 6 Nations. Replacing Penny is nigh on impossible but Healy and French/Moore will do a fine job coming in at 10 and 12. The issue will be the lack of depth now we’re down some big players and guys having so many big games in such a short period of time.

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    Mute Anthony
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    May 29th 2019, 10:06 AM

    Its concerning the amount of serious injuries in a young squad like that already

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    Mute Exiled Dub
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    May 29th 2019, 9:43 AM

    One “IQ” player is that a good return should there be more

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    Mute Stephen Elliott
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    May 29th 2019, 10:01 AM

    @Exiled Dub: why should there be more?

    also Iwan Hughes is a IQ rugby product who is with Ulster now.

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    Mute Martin Quinn
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    May 29th 2019, 1:06 PM

    I wonder how the other home countries are getting on, say England next week ?? Do we have the worst list ???)

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    Mute Glenbower
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    May 29th 2019, 1:39 PM

    @Martin Quinn: A few injuries and also the unavailability of #10 Marcus Smith because he’s playing for England development XV vs the Barbarians ! A disappointing priority for the rest of the squad, I imagine.

    See https://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-men-u20s-squad-update/

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    Mute Glenbower
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    May 29th 2019, 1:46 PM

    @Martin Quinn: No mention of Australian injuries here:

    https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/05/07/world-u20-championships-junior-wallabies-squad

    They beat NZ 24-0 in a final recently !

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    Mute Glenbower
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    May 29th 2019, 1:57 PM

    @Martin Quinn: Italy had to omit 3 injured players who were “more or less important”. See:

    https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=112&Itemid=427

    So my guess is that our missing 5, 6, 7, 10 and 12 represent the greatest omissions in our group.

    Ah well, cometh the hour, cometh the man …

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 29th 2019, 2:21 PM

    @Martin Quinn: https://u20rugby.wordpress.com if you’re interested keep an eye on this

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    Mute Martin Quinn
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    May 29th 2019, 4:53 PM

    @Glenbower:

    Thanks for that :: Glen

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    Mute Martin Quinn
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    May 29th 2019, 4:55 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui:

    Thanks for that :: EDDIE

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