RUGBY ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP:RYAN LAMB punished his former club with an immaculate goal-kicking display as London Irish climbed to second place in the Aviva Premiership thanks to a 23-16 win over Gloucester.
The Exiles outhalf booted 13 points through a five from five return, condemning Gloucester to their second defeat in three starts this term.
Hooker James Buckland and number eight George Stowers, who was sent off during last weekend’s narrow loss at Bath, added tries in each half to leave Irish three points behind unbeaten leaders Northampton.
Irish once again look title play-off material, even at this early stage of proceedings, yet Gloucester could find themselves facing a long, hard winter.
Despite parading a dozen internationals in their starting line-up, Gloucester lacked tactical nous behind the scrum and were too often bullied by an Irish pack that will experience far more punishing tests this season.
The only real surprise was that Gloucester clinched a losing bonus point courtesy of wing Lesley Vainikolo’s injury-time effort that substitute Tim Taylor converted to follow three earlier penalties by Nicky Robinson.
Irish were without injured England international flanker Steffon Armitage, so Kieran Roche switched from lock and Nick Kennedy resumed his prolific second-row partnership with Bob Casey, while centre strongman Seilala Mapusua partnered summer signing Dan Bowden in midfield.
Gloucester handed Scotland lock Jim Hamilton a debut following his arrival from Edinburgh as the Madejski Stadium visitors looked to kick-start their campaign after losing against Premiership newcomers Exeter and then struggling past Leeds Carnegie by a point at Kingsholm.
But Irish looked dangerous from the outset, cleverly mixing their running and kicking games in front of an appreciative attendance of 8,000.
Meanwhile, David Strettle marked his first start for Saracens with a try as Brendan Venter’s side condemned bottom side Leeds Carnegie to a third-successive defeat on a scoreline of 26-14.
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