LONDON Irish legend Topsy Ojo is one of six players to extend their contracts for next season with the club, writes Richard Ashton.

Exiles’ all-time leading try scorer (pictured right), who recently passed 400 points for Nick Kennedy’s men, will be joined by scrum half Brendan McKibbin, full back Greig Tonks, wing Ben Ransom, lock Josh McNally and prop Lovejoy Chawatama.

Ojo – who made his debut having come through the club’s junior set-up in 2005 and is now only eight caps short of breaking Justin Bishop’s record of 279 appearances for Irish – will also continue to work in a coaching role with Exiles’ academy.

The former England international said: “London Irish is a club that means everything to me and I’m pleased to have extended my contract.

“There is so much excitement surrounding the club at present and I want to be a part of what we are striving to achieve. It’s also great to see the amount of young talent that has progressed from the Academy, and I’ve enjoyed working alongside the likes of Joe Cokanasiga, Tom Parton and Theo Brophy Clews.

“Nick Kennedy has worked extremely hard behind the scenes to assemble a squad capable of challenging for an immediate return to the Premiership, and everyone at the club is determined to realise the club’s ambitions.”

Director of rugby Kennedy added: “Topsy’s experience has been crucial for us throughout this season and I’m pleased he’s committed his future to the club.

“As well as his talents on the field, off the field he’s been superb with the academy players and younger members of the squad who have broken into the first team. He’s a fantastic role model for everyone at the club to look up to, and I know he’s desperate to finish the season on a high.”

McKibbin, 31, joined London Irish from the Super Rugby-winning NSW Waratahs at the beginning of last season, and has scored three tries during this campaign.

Scottish international Tonks, 27, is closing in on 100 points for Irish having played 38 times for the club since making the move from Edinburgh in 2016, while ex-Saracens man Ransom and powerful former London Welsh pair Chawatama and McNally joined earlier this season.