Exiles fightback overcomes Connacht

Connacht 16 London Irish 24

Connacht lost their second pre-season friendly to a Zurich Premiership side in four days, as a second half surge from London Irish saw the visitors win out 24-16 at the Sportsground.

Three crisp penalties from the boot of number 10 Eric Elwood put Connacht 9-0 up after 15 minutes but a Scott Staniforth intercept try soon had the Exiles back in touch, with Mark Mapletoft adding the extras in front of the posts.

Michael Bradley's home side restored their seven-point lead on 26 minutes when Elwood's flat pass put James Downey over, and the veteran converted before Mapletoft reduced it to 16-10 at the interval.

It took 24 minutes of the second half for Connacht's defiant defence to crumble and it was substitute scrum-half Kevin Barrett who accepted a loose Tom Tierney pass to touch down in the left corner.

Ross Laidlaw converted for an Irish lead and deep into injury time, pinged over another after the impressive Barrett set up left winger Staniforth for his forth try of the tour.

Scorers:

Connacht: Try: Downey; Con: Elwood; Pens: Elwood 3

London Irish: Tries: Staniforth 2, Barrett; Cons: Mapletoft, Laidlaw 2; Pen: Mapletoft.