DECLAN POST EXETER - 'LOTS OF LEARNINGS'

Declan Kidney admitted there were lots of learnings for London Irish to take from Saturday's defeat to Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership.

Irish fell to a 26-3 defeat at Sandy Park, on a freezing afternoon at the home of the reigning Premiership champions.

Speaking in the wake of the defeat, Kidney said: “I think Saturday showed us a couple of things that we need to work on in all areas of our game.

“That’s the benefit of playing a game like this. If you're going to try and learn them, try and learn them all in one go.

“There were a lot of learnings from the game that we need to take on board and be ready for the next one.

“As we know, we have Bristol next weekend - and there isn’t much between Bristol and Exeter at the top of the table.”

Irish's plans were disrupted by injuries, HIA's and a late Motu Matu'u red card against the Chiefs, but Kidney refused to make excuses, adding: “They did affect us, but they are part and parcel of the game.

“We don’t use them as an excuse, you have to work around them.”

Irish return to league action against Bristol Bears at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday (3.00pm kick-off).