Steele hits back at Irish protests

Northampton rugby director John Steele has hit back at London Irish following last weekend's ill-tempered match between the clubs.

Injuries suffered by London Irish players in that game led to complaints from the club.

But Steele, the former London Scottish rugby director, said: "These complaints have come from a club that has failed to pay debts from the merger of London Irish, London Scottish and Richmond three years ago, despite money being provided for them to do so.

"More recently, they illegally substituted three front-row forwards, and when questioned on this, placed the blame at the RFU's door

"London Irish seemed to want to criticise everything and everybody after the game.

"They should look to put their house in order before speaking out."