New London Irish player-coach Brendan Venter has revealed his desire to nurture international stars for both England and Ireland in the future.

South African Venter believes he can rebuild bridges with the Irish Rugby Union, who want all their top players turning out for clubs at home.

``We really want to bring the Irish ethos back to the club and we intend to ask what we can do for the Irish union.

``I think in the next two or three years you will see a couple of big name Irish players playing for London Irish and it will be a joint venture,'' said Venter, who returned during the summer to take charge of the club he served as a player between 1997 and 1999.

The traditional link will be renewed when the South African international centre takes his new team to Ireland for their pre-season tour on Sunday, with the big test being a match against a Munster XV in Cork next Tuesday.

But Venter, who announced the club's new player development programme today, insisted the focus will still be very much on producing England-qualified players.

``Ireland is where we will be playing our pre-season friendlies but our future lies in English Premiership rugby,'' he said.

The new development programme, which enables top prospects to combine a taste of professional rugby without sacrificing their studies or careers, involves the formation of 30-strong squads at under-16, 17, 19 and 21 levels, each with its own coach and two designated first-team stars to provide specific input.

Club skipper Conor O'Shea, hoping to return to action in October after his broken ankle, will manage the programme and he said: ``We weren't seeing enough players coming through the club.

``This is essentially a family club but we have seen a massive turnover of players. That makes it difficult for the fans to associate with players and in future years we hope to have more or less a homegrown side.

``We want players to play for the club not just the money. If you are here just to pick up a pay cheque you are at the wrong club.''

As well as announcing the development scheme, which includes links with Downside and Pangbourne colleges - where promising players will be awarded sports bursaries - London Irish also unveiled a new six figure, one-year shirt sponsorship deal with MG Rover and the intention to play home matches on Sunday during the coming season, their second at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

The fixture computer forced the club's hand to avoid a clash with Reading but London Irish chief executive Geoff Huckstep said: ``It's something we had been seriously looking at.

``With more than 25,000 people playing or watching rugby in the Thames Valley every Saturday, the club is confident its decision to play on Sunday afternoons will prove popular and encourage more fans to watch the only Premiership rugby club in the region.''