England pair Henry Arundell and Ollie Hassell-Collins prove London Irish have Test appeal, Declan Kidney

Henry Arundell was handed his Six Nations debut last weekend, while Ollie Hassell-Collins is already a key player under Steve Borthwick

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Nick Purewal17 February 2023

Declan Kidney has hailed Henry Arundell and Ollie Hassell-Collins for ending the "nonsense" talk of players needing to leave London Irish to cut England's Test match mustard.

Arundell made his Six Nations and Twickenham debut in last weekend's 31-14 win over Italy, while fellow flier Hassell-Collins has started both Tests under new boss Steve Borthwick.

Exiles rugby director Kidney believes their newest England stars are proof positive the club can produce Red Rose Test stars.

"It's great for those two, and from a club point of view it stops all the nonsense that you have to leave this club to play for England," said Kidney. "That's very important for the younger players coming through to see that."

Irish make the trip to Bath on Sunday itching to add to their four-straight league wins, but do so without Australia lock Adam Coleman, who will miss the rest of the season after surgery to repair the shoulder he dislocated in the 42-24 win over Harlequins.