Aviva Premiership
Kennedy retires to take London Irish coaching role
ESPN Staff
May 21, 2014
Nick Kennedy enjoyed a decade-long career at London Irish © Getty Images
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Nick Kennedy is one of eight first-team players leaving Harlequins this summer, the club have announced.

The second row, 32, will retire from rugby and take up the role of academy director at London Irish, the club at which he spent eight seasons, making 208 appearances.

"I have decided to cut short my playing career to be part of the exciting new era at London Irish," said Kennedy. "I, along with many other past and present international rugby players, am a product of the club's academy. I look forward to joining up with the team in the summer and working with the future stars of the club."

Leaving Harlequins with Kennedy are Maurie Fa'asavalu, Tom Guest, Sam Smith, Nic Mayhew and Max Crumpton. Paul Sackey and Tim Molenaar, who were with the club as injury dispensation cover, will also not return next season.

Kennedy, who also enjoyed a spell in the Top 14 with Toulon, will be joined in the Irish coaching set-up by former team-mate Paul Hodgson, who takes up the role of backs coach with the Exiles' academy.

"These are exciting times at London Irish and I am thrilled to be part of it," said Hodgson. "The academy has been the essence of the club for a long time and it is a huge part of the new owners' vision. It will be an exciting challenge but, with the team that has been acquired, one that we will be up for."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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