London Irish booked their place in the last-16 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Sunday, despite losing to Saracens at the Stone-X Stadium.

A much-changed Exiles team went down 45-24 in their final pool tie, but four tries on the road were enough to clinch a losing bonus-point and with it, qualification for the knock-out stages.

Reflecting on the game, Kidney said: “Saracens played well.

“We knew they were going to come at us and they certainly did.

“Lots of it we faced up to well, but they picked us off when we had a few soft moments.”

He added: “We won’t make excuses.

“We changed the team around, because we needed to give some game time to certain players.

“Given everything that was thrown at us with the knocks and the niggles, to come out of it with a bonus point is credit to the team and just rewards for their efforts.

“We’ll reflect on this game early this week and then focus on another big game against Exeter in the league his weekend.”

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