Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Last-gasp Rona try sees 14-man Irish edge Cardiff to set up quarter-final versus Bath

By PA
(Photo by PA)

Curtis Rona’s last-gasp try stole 14-man London Irish a dramatic 41-35 European Challenge Cup victory over Cardiff Blues. Jarrod Evans’ drop-goal put the Blues back into a 35-34 lead with time ticking away, but Irish broke the length of the field with centre Rona finishing in style.

ADVERTISEMENT

Declan Kidney’s side were forced to play the majority of the second half with 14 men after prop Will Goodrick-Clarke was sent off, but Irish pulled a victory out of the bag to book a quarter-final trip to the Recreation Ground to face Bath. Irish beat Bath 36-33 only last weekend in a feisty Gallagher Premiership battle that featured two red cards and also led to a citing which all resulted in bans for a trio of Bath players.

Kristian Dacey, Josh Adams, Jason Harries and Lloyd Williams all crossed for Cardiff, with fly-half Evans slotting three conversions and two penalties to add to his late drop-goal. But Ollie Hassell-Collins bagged a brace for Irish, who also had Ben Loader and Terrence Hepetema on the score sheet. Former Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson’s five conversions and two penalties also proved pivotal for the hosts.

Video Spacer

Devin Toner guests on RugbyPass All Access talking about freak athlete second rows

Video Spacer

Devin Toner guests on RugbyPass All Access talking about freak athlete second rows

Bath had earlier set up that last-eight Challenge Cup battle with Irish by fighting back to beat Zebre in Italy. Beno Obano, Anthony Watson and Jacques du Toit plundered tries to drag Stuart Hooper’s team back from the brink with a 35-27 win over the Italians who struggled in the recently finished Guinness PRO14 season.

Pierre Bruno bagged a hat-trick for Zebre, but the hosts were ultimately unable to hold off the Bath comeback. Joe Cokanasiga and Will Stuart also crossed for five-try Bath, who now move into the last eight. Paolo Pesetto posted two penalties to tee up a tense finale in Parma, but Bath ground home with du Toit’s try proving crucial.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit
Search