English rugby bosses have softened their hardline stance towards London Irish in a last-ditch attempt to save the club from extinction.
The cash-strapped Exiles had set a Tuesday deadline either for a takeover deal to be completed with a US consortium or for Mick Crossan, who owns the club through his company Powerday, to guarantee he would support Irish through next season.
Neither happened and when the players learned, at the 11th hour, that the club had gone back on its commitment to meet the May payroll in full, it seemed sure the Exiles would join Worcester and Wasps in folding.
