London Irish leapfrog Blues, Chiefs make it eight in a row

tomhomer

The two teams - now level on points - are involved in a closely fought tussle for the lead in the group, with Irish having lost 24-14 in Cardiff last weekend.

The Premiership outfit, who are struggling domestically, sit top thanks their one-point advantage in the aggregate score over the two fixtures.

Irish full-back Tom Homer opened the scoring from the tee inside three minutes, but it was the Blues who registered the first try of the encounter - Cory Allen capping a neat passing move to cross the whitewash seven minutes later.

Gareth Anscombe converted the first of three successful first-half efforts with the boot, but it was Irish who went in with a 16-13 lead at the break thanks to an Andy Fenby try and the kicking exploits of Homer.

Shane Geraghty touched down as Irish stretched their lead by another 10 points at the beginning of the second half, but Anscombe stopped the rot with a penalty just after the hour mark.

The fly-half went on to convert his own try before time was up, but another score from Fenby, coupled with a Homer penalty, were enough to deny the Blues a losing bonus point.

Grenoble sit four points adrift of the Blues and Irish after edging Rovigo 20-17 - the Italian side picking up their first point of the competition.

Exeter Chiefs made it eight wins in a row in all competitions by beating La Rochelle 41-17 to move two points clear at the top of Pool Two.

The winning bonus point saw Exeter edge further clear of second-placed Connacht, who were 29-27 victors at Bayonne.

Gloucester are now one win away from the knockout stages following a 32-16 win at Zebre, sending them seven points clear in Pool Five.

David Humphreys' men will seal their progression with a win over Oyonnax in January, with the French side having beaten compatriots Brive 22-17 on Saturday.

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