LONDON Irish have submitted a formal application to play at the proposed Brentford Community Stadium.

Exiles had begun discussions with Hounslow Borough Council in August about ground-sharing with Brentford FC at the 20,000-capacity ground, and negotiations have now intensified.

The club – who sit top of the Greene King IPA Championship table having won all six of their matches so far – have been playing at Madejski Stadium since 2000.

They are contracted to play at the ground until 2025-26, but have a get-out clause which would allow them to move to west London.

Attendances have dropped from crowds of more than 10,000 less than 10 years ago, to fewer than 5,000 since they were relegated from the Aviva Premiership.

Brentford FC, currently based at Griffin Park, included plans for rugby to be played at their new ground in their original planning application, which was approved in December 2013.

Building work has been held up while the club secured compulsory purchase orders for some sections of land on the Lionel Road site, but construction is expected to commence in 2017.

A statement on the London Irish website said: “We will continue to keep supporters and stakeholders updated with any further developments.”

Irish strengthened their grip at the top of the Greene King IPA Championship table with a 35-12 victory against London Welsh at Madejski Stadium last weekend.

Nick Kennedy's unbeaten men have won all six of their league matches this season and are on course to bounce straight back to the Aviva Premiership following last season's relegation.

Exiles travel to Ospreys in the British & Irish Cup this Saturday (2.30pm).