Zurich Premiership: London Irish video evidence to be reviewed

London Irish have asked for ‘‘a number of incidents’’ to be reviewed by the match commissioner following yesterday’s Zurich Premiership defeat against Northampton.

Irish player-coach Brendan Venter analysed video footage after Exiles prop Rob Hardwick was stretchered off and scrum-half Darren Edwards needed hospital treatment.

Hardwick suffered a badly cut eye just seven minutes into the game, while Edwards dislocated his elbow, amid suggestions of foul play.

‘‘In the case of the injuries to Rob Hardwick and Darren Edwards, the video was unhelpful because the camera was on the wrong side to show both clearly,’’ Venter said today.

‘‘However, there were a number of other incidents on the tape which we will refer to the citing commissioner for his consideration.’’

The commissioner will automatically study events under procedures recently adopted by the Rugby Football Union and Premiership clubs.

Irish, who destroyed Northampton 48-12 at the Madejski Stadium last month, finished second-best in the return fixture after Saints outscored them 2-0 on tries.

Centre Peter Jorgensen and flanker Budge Pountney claimed Northampton’s touchdowns, while 14 points from Paul Grayson saw Saints home after they turned around a 15-12 interval deficit.

It was their third successive league win, lifting them to seventh, while Irish lost second spot courtesy of Gloucester’s violence-scarred 29-25 success against Newcastle.

The Kingsholm clash was marred by two major brawls, Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam and Newcastle flanker Epi Taione were sent off, and Falcons boss Rob Andrew later accused Azam of making racist comments.

Those incidents totally overshadowed an enthralling contest that saw Gloucester almost blow a 23-6 lead before fly-half Henry Paul’s late penalty sealed victory.

Gloucester scored tries through Adam Eustace, Daren O’Leary and Terry Fanolua - Paul booted 14 points - while Falcons’ England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson contributed 15 points, including a try.

Bath preserved their long unbeaten home league record against West Country rivals Bristol, collecting four priceless points through a 15-9 win.

Centre Olly Barkley slotted five penalties as Bath moved from 10th place to eighth, with Felipe Contepomi contributing all Bristol’s points in a game that saw three England forwards - Danny Grewcock, Julian White and Garath Archer - sin-binned.