Ireland coach Brian Ashton suffered another injury setback yesterday that threatens his preparations for next month's Test against New Zealand in Dublin. Ashton was among a 6,000strong crowd at Gloucester, where league rivals London Irish were beaten 29-7 and their Lions lock Jeremy Davidson suffered a worrying knee injury.

Davidson, a star on the Lions' victorious South African tour this summer, lasted just seven minutes before hobbling off.

He fell awkwardly following a line-out, and is to undergo X-rays on his left knee tomorrow. Early indications are that he will be sidelined for two or three weeks.

"It's a case of waiting now and seeing how his injury responds over the next 24 hours or so," said Ashton, who is already without Bath wing Simon Geoghegan against the All Blacks, while Bristol flanker David Corkery is struggling to overcome an ankle problem.