Local Businessman to Invest in Irvine Rugby Club

Irvine Rugby Club issued a press release earlier in the week announcing a major investment from a local business man and former player that will see an injection of funds as well as a new coaching team being put in place.

Following last season relegation from National 3, Irvne have continued to struggle this season, finding themselves at the foot of West 1, having lost 7 from 7.

As a result of the investment, a group of players will now join the club for the remainder of the season, under a new coaching team led by Kris Finneran from Kent County Rugby and Saracens Elite development programme. His coaching staff will include Kevin Pattie and Paul Graham who will join to support the newly appointed head coach at the club.

On the playing front, it's reported that Irvine have been working with the South African Rugby Union, with Irvine now being the second team in Scotland to be affiliated with the Union, to assist in player development internationally and to promote the team and the sport programme.  As a result they are looking to secure three players who have represented the regional South African Golden Lions who will begin playing in the coming months.

Irvine also report they are in negotiations to bring two, fully capped, international players from Wales and Fiji alongside two further UK players to join the team, with the hope of boosting the league results and the popularity of the sport in the surrounding areas.

We'll keep an eye on this story to see how things pan out for this small community based Club, and what impact it has on the other Clubs in West Region.

Full story at the Irvine website.