LONDON Irish kick-start their pre-season with a glamour tie at two-time European Cup champions Munster tomorrow evening (Friday, 7.30pm), writes Richard Ashton.

Director of rugby Declan Kidney will take Exiles back to the club he twice coached to European glory as they step up their preparations for the Greene King IPA Championship at Irish Independent Stadium.

It has been a summer of change for Exiles with a host of stars departing the club, including flying wing Alex Lewington, two-time World Cup-winning All Black Ben Franks and prodigious youngster Joe Cokanasiga.

Fly half James Marshall, centre Johnny Williams and South African duo Piet van Zyl and Arno Botha have also moved on, while all-time most-capped Exile David Paice has retired.

However, nine new signings have joined the club, including the Premiership’s third-highest ever points-scorer Stephen Myler, Samoan international forwards TJ Ioane and Motu Matu’u, South African prop Pat Cilliers and American centre Bryce Campbell.

And they will look to build momentum ahead of the new season when travelling to Munster, before a trip to Leicester Tigers the following Friday.

Exiles then begin their bid for an immediate return to the Gallagher Premiership with an away game to much-fancied Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday, September 1.