Outclassed Exiles face drop
LONDON IRISH were pushed to the brink of relegation after being outclassed by reigning champions and Premiership leaders Exeter at Madejski Stadium.
The Exiles came into the game full of hope after victory at Harlequins last time out, but were quickly brought back down to earth with a bump as Chiefs ran in six tries, including a hat-trick for Sam Simmonds.
Joe Cokanasiga responded with a fine try after the restart, but it was mere consolation in Irish’s heaviest league loss of the season.
“It was a tough day,” admitted technical consultant Declan Kidney.
“Exeter were full value for their win and were very efficient when they got within five metres of our line.
“I think sometimes you put your hands up when you come across a side who’ve played well.
“They came here to make it a good arm wrestle and they won those collisions.
“There’s nine points in it and there’s still 10 points to play for, so we’ll keep fighting.”
Kidney made just one change from the team which hammered Harlequins with Seb De Chaves recalled in place of Jake Schatz.
But Schatz was very quickly called into action, entering play in just the third minute following an injury to Max Northcote-Green.
By the time that switch had been made, Irish already found themselves
7-0 behind after Ben Moon had crashed over from close range.
That lead extended to 21-0 by halftime as the Chiefs turned the screw in search of the points they needed to clinch a home semi-final with Simmonds twice crossing the whitewash.
And Simmonds completed his treble soon after the restart, powering through the home defence to secure his side’s bonus point try.
Irish finally gave their fans something to cheer on 53 minutes when a neat offload from James Marshall found Cokanasiga on the wing to burst beyond two men and stretch over the line for his eighth try of the season.
But it was only light relief as Exeter regained the upper hand with late tries from Mitch Lees and Jack Yeandle sealing a 45-5 victory.
The Exiles now have a week off before hosting Saracens on April 29, knowing anything but a win will confirm relegation back to the Championship.