Exiles get vital win in France

Agen 24 London Irish 32

Former Australian rugby league star Paul Franze snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for London Irish as the Exiles grabbed a crucial win over Agen on French soil.

Having struggled to stay ahead through the combined boots of Riki Flutey and Barry Everitt in the first half, the pool two leaders found themselves falling behind in the second spell as Agen picked up two tries to turn their 12-1 interval deficit into a 24-12 lead.

But Everitt chipped away at the lead with two more penalties, one in the 78th minute, before an amazing injury-time revival.

Franze’s run, which took him past four defenders in a 30-metre stretch, took Irish to within a point and left Everitt needing only to hit the mark with a conversion in front of the posts to take his side back into the lead.

To add insult to the French club’s injury, fullback Delon Armitage intercepted an Agen pass two metres out from their line as the Frenchmen tried to find a way back into the contest and he ran in for another try.

Everitt converted to make it 17 points in the final 12 minutes and make it four wins out of four for Irish to virtually guarantee them a quarter-final slot.

But across country, Border Reivers will struggle to make the quarter-finals after they were edged 34-28 by Brive.

Outside-half Charlie Hore kicked five goals, but it was not enough for the visitors, who must now beat Newcastle Falcons away to have any chance of advancing.

Brive fullback Charly Platek scored two tries to help his side to a 17-6 lead at half-time.