Casey agrees to join London Irish

Leinster and Blackrock second row Bob Casey has agreed to join London Irish on a two year deal.

Casey, an integral part of Leinster’s Celtic League winning side, had been offered improved terms by the IRFU to stay with the province but has opted for a move to Reading’s Madejski Stadium.

Casey, capped five times for Ireland, will join up with the Powergen Cup champions, the Exiles first trophy in their 104 year history, during the summer. The 23-year-old’s decision is believed to have been influenced by a job offer his girlfriend received in London.

London Irish director of rugby, former Ireland full-back Conor O’Shea, said: "While we support the Irish Rugby Football Union in keeping players at home, in special cases such as this where a player wants to broaden his experience by playing elsewhere for a couple of years, we are pleased to offer him the chance to do so.

"We believe Bob has the ability to compete at the highest level of club and international rugby and are delighted that he is joining us in July." ‘Irish, who are cuurently seeking to assemble a league winning side, have also tied down the services of former England international flanker Chris Sheasby.

Sheasby, an Exile for two years already, has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.