Motu Matu'u

Motu Matu'u and Waisake Naholo among London Irish departures

Matu'u, 34, joined from Gloucester in the summer of 2018 and played 30 times for the club, helping Irish return to to the Premiership in 2019.

Naholo, 30, played four times in the 2019-20 but missed all of the current season with a serious knee injury.

Tom Homer and Theo Brophy-Clews have already announced their retirement.

Harry Elrington, Nic Groom, Charlton Kerr, Andrei Mahu and Vladimir Podrezov are also leaving.

Rugby World Cup indiscretion comes back to haunt Motu Matu'u

The London Irish hooker appeared before an independent disciplinary panel this afternoon for his red card offence over the weekend.

The Samoan was sent off by referee Ian Tempest in the 33rd minute of the match between Worcester Warriors and London Irish on Saturday 28 December 2019. This was for dangerous tackling, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13.

Matu’u accepted the charge and was given a five-week suspension by Jeremy Summers sitting as sole judicial officer. The player is free to play again on Tuesday 18 February 2020.

Samoa's Motu Matu'u signs for Gloucester

The 28-year-old has played seven tests since making his debut in last year's Pacific Nations Cup.

He featured in all four of Samoa's World Cup pool matches, scoring a try against Scotland.