Skilful No. 8 Kade Bird endured heartbreak after being dropped by London Irish academy but has been presented with a golden opportunity to show what he can do in Australia’s Shute Shield U20s.

Bird, 19, was let go by the Exiles earlier this year having been in the club’s setup since the age of 12 but has since enjoyed a career revival.
He said: “I loved my time at London Irish and I played in the academy league but things didn’t work out as I didn’t get a contract at the end.
“I’m a London Irish fan and I’ll continue to watch my mates who are still there. I joined Leeds Beckett this year and ...