Exiles on the move

London Irish on Wednesday confirmed the departure and arrival of a host of players ahead of the 2012/13 Premiership season.

Second row forward Bob Casey retired at the end of last season, after 10 seasons at Sunbury. During his time with the club the big Irishman made 235 appearances, scoring six tries.

England internationals Nick Kennedy and Delon Armitage both moved to France to continue their careers with Toulon. Both Kennedy and Armitage are London Irish Academy graduates who have risen through the ranks with former coach Toby Booth.

Kennedy made 217 appearances, scoring five tries and Armitage made 167 appearances scoring 55 tries.

Two other London Irish stalwarts who left the club include Paul Hodgson and Kieran Roche.

Paul Hodgson, who made 208 appearances and scored 11 tries, is continuing his career with Worcester Warriors.

Kieran Roche has decided to retire and will be taking a job in the city. Kieran made 180 appearances for the Exiles and scored five tries.

New Zealand International and club captain for the past two seasons, Clarke Dermody (108 appearances) retired from rugby.

Richard Thorpe departs after making 127 appearances for the Exiles and former South African International Faan Rautenbach (136 appearances) also left the club.

Academy graduate Adam Thompstone, who made 52 appearances, also left last season to join Leicester Tigers.

Other players who have left the Club include Tom Alexander (one appearance); Daniel Bowden (50 appearances); Mark George (three appearances); Shontayne Hape (12 appearances); Adrian Jarvis (18 appearances); Guy Armitage (nine appearances), Ross Samson (14 appearances) and Jonathan Spratt (11 appearances).

London Irish Academy players Freddie Clarke, Ben Pritchard and Ed Siggery (four appearances) have also moved on to continue their careers.

London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith said: "We would like to thank each of the players for their efforts during their time at London Irish. We wish them all the very best and every success for the future."

London Irish has signed the following players for the 2012/13 season: Halani Aulika, Jon Fisher, Shane Geraghty, Cai Griffiths, Ian Humphreys, Scott Lawson, Tomás O'Leary, Setaimata Sa, George Skivington, Shaun Malton, Michael Worrincy and Conor Gaston.

Academy signings: Tom Smallbone, Ludi Hopkinson, Jack Ramshaw, Gerard Ellis and Luke Peters.