Tom tops James in Marshall lore

Tom Marshall had the last laugh on big brother James as the two former Tasman Mako stars clashed in the English Rugby Premiership.

Tom, playing on the wing for Gloucester, grabbed two tries to keep the Cherry and Whites’ English rugby premiership playoff hopes alive on in a 33-29 win over brother James’ London Irish on Sunday.

Irish blew a 17-0 lead to allow Gloucester to take a 19-17 advantage into the interval after scoring three tries in eight minutes - including Marshall’s first - at London Irish’s Reading ground.

The Kiwi wing dotted down again in the second half as Gloucester rattled on 33 unanswered points before London Irish secured two bonus points with a late score.

The Marshall brothers grew up in Nelson with both representing Tasman Mako before breaking into Super Rugby.

Tom, 27, played for the Crusaders and the Chiefs, but the former New Zealand under-20 representative left for Gloucester in 2015.

James, 29, an ex-New Zealand sevens international, had 44 games during four seasons on the Hurricanes’ books and led Taranaki to a NPC title before his move to London Irish in 2016.

The elder Marshall, who was playing fullback, also got on the scoresheet, converting two of London Irish’s four tries and slotting a penalty.

But Irish - guided for the first time by ex-Ireland national team coach Declan Kidney- look doomed to relegation, languishing 10 points behind the Worcester Warriors with four rounds to play.

Gloucester - who started five New Zealanders (Marshall, Jason Woodward, Willi Heinz, Josh Hohneck and John Afoa) are fifth in the premiership standings - three points off the top-four playoffs spot.

Todd Blackadder acknowledged Bath would have to win their final four games to make the playoffs after slipping to eighth place following a 20-18 defeat to leaders Exeter.

‘‘I hope we can make the top four,’’ Blackadder Bath’s director of rugby, told BBC Sport.

‘‘We will possibly have to win the last four games, otherwise you are relying on other people’s results. We are in a good position to do that.’’

Bath were fifth last year in Blackadder’s first season, missing the semifinals by one place.

GETTY IMAGES Tom Marshall scores the second of his two tries in Gloucester’s win over his brother James’ London Irish side.