LONDON Irish have taken a major step towards leaving the Madejski Stadium and relocating to Brentford.

Exiles yesterday opened talks with Hounslow council over a potential switch to Bees' proposed 20,000-seater stadium at Lionel Road.

It is not known whether Irish would have to buy their way out of their long-term contract to groundshare with Reading FC, which is due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season.

But it has been rumoured the club has been exploring the possibility of returning to its London roots for a number of years.

Brentford's plans to find a new home gathered pace recently when they received government approval on a Compulsory Purshase Order for land on Lionel Road.

The club has also confirmed its intention is to share the new facility with a rugby club.

The Reading Chronicle can reveal London Irish members were informed on Monday of the potential move from Reading's 25,000 Madejski Stadium, which has hosted professional rugby since 1998 when Richmond first moved in.

They were emailed an official club statement which reads:

“Over the past decade London Irish has been linked with a number of possible stadium developments in London as the club kept the possibility of returning to its roots in the capital under consideration.

"Numerous discussions have taken place with a variety of clubs over the last five years with a view to a possible ground share or joint stadium development.

“Brentford Football Club, who are well advanced with their own plans for a new 20,000 seat stadium in west London, is one of the clubs concerned.

"As an initial step in assessing this option, London Irish has today (15th August) begun formal discussions with the London Borough of Hounslow to explore the potential to play rugby at the new stadium.

“London Irish will continue to review all options and keep its supporters and stakeholders informed.”

It is thoughts Irish's relegation from the Aviva Premiership to the Greene King Championship last season has accelerated the push to return to London, given the rental costs involved of playing in Reading and likely dip in attendances.

Irish are now planning a number of members' forums to discuss the issue.

They will take place before games against Doncaster Knights (Sept 3), Richmond (Sept 10), Ealing Trailfinders (Sept 25), London Welsh (Oct 8) and Connacht Eagles (Oct 22).