In-form Exiles stay on top

LONDON IRISH stayed top of the Aviva Premiership with a 40-24 win over Leeds Carnegie, but Heineken Cup opponents Munster will have seen plenty of weaknesses to exploit in a shaky defensive display as they prepare to visit the Madejski Stadium.

Racing Metro, visitors to Dublin to play Leinster in round one, endured a day of mixed feelings after losing 28-23 at Toulouse but accruing a bonus point which sent them to the summit of the French Top 14, thanks to Frans Steyn’s long-range penalty at the death.

Ulster’s first opponents, Italian new boys Aironi, lost an attritional Magners League tie 10-9 to Edinburgh.