Junior All-American captain Tom Bliss will start for London Irish this Saturday as they take on Nottingham in their pre-season opener. Bliss has been training with the Exiles this pre-season in the hopes of earning a contract. The London Irish line-up is a mixture of depth players and trialists. If the scrumhalf does earn a contract he will be the second American to join London Irish this summer after John Quill penned a contract with the Senior Academy. (Note: Quill underwent surgery today as part of his recovery from injury.) It's possible that Bliss also ends up on the Senior Academy.
Bliss started all five of the All-American's matches at the Junior World Championship this summer. He plays his rugby at Loughborough in the National League 1 while still a student at the Loughborough University. Bliss grew up in England which will make it much easier to sign for the team. It's also possible that he could play for London Irish Amateur but with Loughborough at a higher level it's unlikely.