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London Irish are out to keep their slim hopes of claiming a European Challenge Cup quarter-final spot alive with a victory over Agen in France. - 20/01/2016 14:50
London Irish are out to keep their slim hopes of claiming a European Challenge Cup quarter-final spot alive with a victory over Agen in France.
The Exiles’ hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds took a huge blow last week when Pool 5 leaders Grenoble romped to a 28-18 triumph at the Madjeski Stadium. The result left the Premiership strugglers with 12 points from five rounds, behind Edinburgh Rugby with 17 and pool leaders Grenoble, who are on 17.
To qualify for the knockout rounds, Irish would have to claim a bonus-point win at Stade Armandie and rack-up the points against Agen, who are yet to claim a victory in this season’s competition. A number of results will have to go the way of the Reading club, and head coach Tom Coventry knows their chances of progressing are slim.
He said: “The competition has probably slipped away. We will have to go to Agen and score lots of tries and hope things work out mathematically, but the chances of progression are now quite slim.
“In a season as long as this one, we have to be conscious of managing our squad. We have guys that played on Saturday who are desperate to play. They train hard every week and it is key they are given opportunities to play, so allowing them that chance was what we needed to do. We had an opportunity to succeed, despite the changes so it is disappointing.”
Match Facts
- London Irish have won their last four matches against Agen in the Challenge Cup.
- Agen have lost their last two matches at home in the Challenge Cup, a third loss would equal their longest home losing streak in the tournament.
- London Irish have lost their last two away from home in the Challenge Cup, this after winning five of seven away from home before that.
- Agen have lost their last six matches against teams from England in the Challenge Cup last winning against an English opponent in October 2010.
London Irish clinched a dramatic European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final place after earning a bonus point win over Agen in their Pool 5 contest at Stade Armandie. - 23/01/2016 21:51
London Irish clinched a dramatic European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final place after earning a bonus point win over Agen in their Pool 5 contest at Stade Armandie.
Their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out rounds looked to have taken a huge blow last week when Grenoble romped to a 28-18 triumph at the Madjeski Stadium but this 31-17 victory on the road gave then maximum match points and took them through as group runners-up at the expense of Edinburgh.
It started and ended with London Irish tries as from a line-out England international flanker Luke Narraway was bundled over by his fellow forwards for an unconverted try to give the Exiles a dream start after just three minutes.
Two strong carriers by hooker Tom Cruse kept the pressure on the home side and although the Irish scrum was in command a smart break by Dom Waldouck fizzled out with a knock-on.
But with 17 minutes gone neat phase play ended with wing Tom Fowlie crossing for a second try, Shane Geraghty converting for a 12 point advantage.
That was reduced by a François Bouvier penalty but the Exiles responded with their third try as prop Tom Smallbone stormed over after a great restart take by Topsy Ojo.
Geraghty converted but the opening 30 minutes produced four tries with left wing Filipo Nakosi delighting home fans with a score converted by Bouvier.
And they drew first blood after the break, replacement Jalil Narjissi promptly crossing for their second try, converted by Bouvier.
The Exiles produced some fine phase play without any immediate reward – but after a 37 minute wait they did get their fourth try and the bonus point with centre Fergus Mulchrone going over.
There was still time for a fifth try – Scottish referee Lloyd Linton awarding a penalty try that Geraghty converted – as they claimed a priceless last eight place.
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