London Irish in talks over Brentford groundshare

Brentford want to share their planned new stadium at Lionel Road. 

The Bees have held a series of talks with several rugby clubs, including London Irish, who began formal discussions with Hounslow Borough Council on Monday about a potential groundshare.

Brentford plan to build a new 20,000-seater ‘Community Stadium’ on Lionel Road South, less than a mile from their current home at Griffin Park, and close to Kew Bridge.

The club have told West London Sport they “welcome” discussions between Irish and the Hounslow authorities, having known for some time of their intention to return to the capital.

London Irish have been sharing the Madejski Stadium with Reading FC since 1998.

The Bees were involved in negotiations with London Irish and Reading FC in 2014 when they were told by the Premier League to explore a temporary move away from Griffin Park should they gain promotion.

Involvement in Brentford’s proposed development at Lionel Road, which recently received government approval on a Compulsory Purchase Order on the remaining land, is one of several avenues being explored by Irish.