CENTRES EAMONN SHERIDAN and Fergus Mulchrone combined for three London Irish tries yet they still ended up on the losing side.
The Irish midfield duo were in devastating form for the Exiles in their Premiership clash with Gloucester but versatile English back Billy Twelvetrees’ penalties got his side over the line. Winger Jonny May also blitzed in a first-half for the visitors as they won 22-19.
London Irish got off to a flying start when out-half Ian Humphreys made a superb break and found Mulchrone. The outside centre steamed through a gaping hole in the Gloucester midfield and dotted down with less than 90 seconds on the clock.
Gloucester responded with two Twelvetrees penalties and May’s converted try. The gap was then 16-7 at the break when the out-half, starting ahead of Leicester-bound Freddie Burns, added another penalty.
When former Leinster back Eamonn Sheridan scored his first try for London Irish on 56 minutes the scoreline was 19-12. Humphreys missed the tricky conversion and Burns stepped off the bench to score a penalty of his own.
Sheridan muscled through for his second try of the game on 70 minutes and substitute Shane Geraghty landed a conversion to give the Exiles a winning chance.
Brian Smith’s men had the chance of snatching a late draw but Geraghty erred with his penalty attempt. The win sees Gloucester consolidate ninth spot while London Irish are in 11th.
YouTube credit: Premiership Rugby
Saracens remain top after a 26-8 win over bottom side Worcester Warriors at Sixways. Former Ireland U20 winger Charlie Ingall scored a try for Sale Sharks in their 30-23 defeat to Leicester Tigers.
