20 August 2001: MG Rover has become a key sponsor of the London Irish rugby club who visit Ireland next week to take on Munster in Cork. The MG Rover Group becomes the club's official shirt sponsor. Last year London Irish sold over 20,000 replica team shirts.

The visit to Cork will be London Irish's first fixture in Ireland since the game went professional six years ago, it will also be the first time the club has faced Irish opposition in that time.

The London Irish touring will consist of the full 32-man professional squad led by captain, Conor O'Shea, and team management led by rugby manager, Kieran McCarthy who is a native of Fermoy.

The squad contains nine full internationals including Justin Bishop (Ireland), Kieran Dawson (Ireland), Naks Drotske (South Africa), Eddie Halvey (Ireland), Rob Hardwick (England), Conor O'Shea (Ireland), Chris Sheasby (England), Brendan Venter (South Africa) and Steve Williams (Wales) as well as many players who have represented their countries at A and Under 21 level.

Player/Coach Brendan Venter says that the club's ambition for the coming season is a top six finish in the Zurich Premiership and qualification for the Heineken European Cup.

John Donegan, marketing and commercial director, MG Rover Ireland, said that the company and its dealer network were very pleased with this sponsorship and the opportunity to welcome London Irish to Ireland next week. "The strong Irish links with the club plus the spin-off effect from both television and press coverage will prove an extremely valuable brand awareness activity for us," he said. CH