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Creevy red-carded for headbutt but 14-man Irish still beat Edinburgh
By
PA
Olly Cracknell’s converted try three minutes from time lifted London Irish to a wafer-thin 21-20 victory over Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup. Adam McBurney and Ramiro Moyano crossed the whitewash for Edinburgh, with Emiliano Boffelli adding the extras to both tries, before Jaco van der Walt’s penalty helped the Scottish side into a 17-7 lead at the interval.
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Kyle Rowe’s try was all the Exiles had to show for a spirited first-half effort but they narrowed their arrears when Oliver Hoskins touched down under the posts, with Paddy Jackson converting for the second time.
Agustin Creevy, who recently signed a contract extension to stay on at Irish, was then shown a red card for an apparent headbutt on Jamie Ritchie while he was on the deck and Edinburgh, with the extra body, extended their lead to six points on the hour when van der Walt split the posts.
But the hosts were rewarded for their late endeavour when replacement front-row Cracknell burst through a gap under the sticks and Jackson held his nerve to keep his 100 per cent conversion rate as Irish secured a last-gasp win.
Toulon made it eleven consecutive pool-stage wins in the competition after beating Worcester 34-23 at Sixways.
Bucking the trend that rugby is no country for old men…#LondonIrish #GallagherPrem #Argentina #LIRvEDIhttps://t.co/sN3KdTADI2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 14, 2022
Fin Smith kicked three penalties to put the hosts 9-3 ahead but tries from former Warrior Cornell du Preez and Facundo Isa gave Toulon a 17-9 half-time lead.
Gabin Villiere and Beka Gigashvili went over to extend the French side’s advantage to 34-9, with Duhan van der Merwe and Harri Doel grabbing consolation tries.
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Replacement front row? Think he came on at his usual position, 8