London Irish: Declan Danaher to take up coaching role

London Irish flanker Declan Danaher will combine playing with a coaching role with the Exiles next season.

The 33-year-old is the longest-serving member of the current Exiles squad.

"I'm really happy that Brian Smith has offered me the chance to work with the academy, I'm looking forward to it," he told the club website.

"The development system has been hugely successful in recent years, so to have a chance to help out the future players of this club will be a great challenge.

Danaher, whose current contract runs to the end of the 2014 season, joined the club in 1999 and despite his new role, he is looking to adding to his 261 appearances with the club and continuing to feature prominently in the playing squad.

"Representing London Irish has always been a huge honour and I'll continue to work hard to ensure I am in the mix for selection," he added.

The Exiles finished ninth in last season's Premiership table.