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Chris Farrell in action for the Ireland U20s in 2012. Photo by Ron Gaunt
Exiles

Irish abroad: Farrell scores for Grenoble as O'Shea makes Worcester debut

Here’s how the Irish players involved in the Top 14, Premiership and Championship got on this weekend.

Top 14

Ulsterman Chris Farrell made his second start of the season for Grenoble, scoring a try in the club’s 27-25 win over Racing Métro. The 21-year-old wore the 13 shirt and ran a smart line to score his first-half try.

Former Leinster underage scrum-half James Hart was used off the bench by Grenoble late on, although the continuing strong form of South African Charl McLeod at 9 is a slight concern for him.

Grenoble, head coached by Bernard Jackman and with Mike Prendergast as backs coach, are now up to fourth in the Top 14. Scoring three tries against Ronan O’Gara‘s Racing defence will have been pleasing, although FCG were disappointed not to secure a bonus point.

Elsewhere, former Leinster lock Damian Browne played 70 minutes of Oyonnax’s 19-8 defeat at home to Clermont. The 34-year-old has already racked up five starts, scoring one try, this season.

Aviva Premiership

Gareth Steenson‘s strong form for Exeter continued this afternoon as the Chiefs beat Harlequins 36-13 to move into the top four of the Premiership. The ex-Ulster out-half scored three conversions and three penalties, while Ian Whitten was used off the bench in the final quarter.

Ireland's Tom Court Tom Court has settled in well at London Irish. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Yesterday, Ireland international prop Tom Court and Irish-qualified centre Fergus Mulchrone started London Irish’s 22-19 win away to Leicester.

Tomás O’Leary and Eamonn Sheridan both played the closing 30 minutes or so as replacements, with the Exiles securing sixth position on the table thanks to their victory.

Bath were beaten 31-24 away to Northampton, with scrum-half Peter Stringer playing the final 29 minutes of the encounter as a substitute for Chris Cook. The Munster legend has made one start in his four appearances at the start of this campaign.

On Friday evening, former Blackrock College RFC man Shane Cahill was used off the bench as London Welsh suffered a 46-10 beating at home to Gloucester. The loosehead prop was making his third appearance since joining from the Cornish Pirates during the summer.

Greene King IPA Championship

The Pirates benefited from the kicking of Kieran Hallett in their 29-19 win over Kevin Maggs‘ Moseley in the Championship this afternoon. The former Ireland U21 international slotted three conversions and one penalty on his fourth start of the season.

David McIlwaine Ulsterman David McIlwaine was on the scoresheet again for Leeds. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Elsewhere, David McIlwaine scored his second try in two games as his Leeds side went down 32-23 at home to Doncaster. The wing/fullback joined Carnegie from home province Ulster at the start of the current campaign.

Yesterday, Worcester were impressive 55-16 winners over Nottingham, as former Munster lock Darren O’Shea made his first start for the club. The Corkman was joined by hooker Niall Annett in the second half, with the Ulsterman making his fourth appearance of the season.

Also used off the Worcester bench was Charlie Mulchrone, brother of London Irish’s Fergus and a former Ireland U18 international. On the losing Nottingham team was Ulster-bred tighthead prop Conor Carey.

Ex-Munster and Connacht flanker Eoghan Grace started Plymouth’s 31-22 defeat at home to Bedford, with Ben Woods continuing in the 12 shirt for Albion, who have yet to register a win in the league.

Scrum-half Ruairi Cushion was a second-half replacement. On the winning Bedford team was ex-Leinster second row Eoin Sheriff, who is currently on loan with the Blues from Saracens.

The Rotherham Titans had a strong Irish influence as they beat Jersey 32-29 on the road, securing fourth spot on the league ladder in doing so. Out-half James McKinney was in good form, contributing a try, drop-goal, penalty and two conversions.

James McKinney 17/5//2014 McKinney scored a try, drop goal, penalty and two conversions for the Titans. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Back row Willie Ryan, who joined the Titans from Cork Con in the off-season, scored a try after coming off the bench, while former Munster fullback Sean Scanlon, ex-Leinster wing Michael Keating and Ulsterman Ali Birch were in the starting team.

At No. 8 for Jersey was Michael Noone, a former Ireland U20 international. The 24-year-old moved back into the Championship during the summer after two seasons with Leicester.

Former Connacht back Mark McCrea was used as a substitute for the final quarter of the game, his fourth appearance off the bench this season.

On Friday night, Bristol claimed top spot in the Championship with a 42-17 success over previous leaders London Scottish. Jack O’Connell, formerly of Leinster, made his third start of the campaign at loosehead prop.

The beaten London Scottish side included fullback Peter Lydon, who kicked a conversion, and ex-Ireland flanker Neil Best. 135kg prop Stewart Maguire, who made seven appearances for Connacht in 2011/12, came off the bench.

Julian Savea now has 27 tries in 27 Tests for the All Blacks

Alred’s rounded vision guides place-kicking of Sexton, Jackson, Ford and Patchell

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