Bailey scored two tries in five games for the Exiles

London Irish winger James Bailey is the latest English player to join a French club after moving to Lyon Olympique.

The 25-year-old, who has played for the England Sevens and Under-21 sides, has signed a two-year deal with Lyon, who play in France's second tier.

Bailey made just five appearances for Irish last season as he battled a series of niggling injuries.

He switched to the Exiles in September 2008 after scoring 28 tries in 62 Premiership games for Gloucester.

Bailey follows the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer across the English Channel.

Wilkinson left Newcastle for Toulon, while Wasps lost Haskell and Palmer to Stade Francais and Flutey to Brive.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version