Exiles lose perfect record

Perpignan ended London Irish's unbeaten run in this season's Heineken Cup with a 23-6 victory at Stade Aime Giral.

The French side scored the only two tries of the contest to move within one point of their opponents at the top of Pool One.

The result was also quick revenge for their 24-16 defeat at the Madejski Stadium last weekend in the first meeting of the two.

Poor discipline cost Perpignan dear in that match and the round four contest in France turned on a crucial yellow card.

Delon Armitage marked his 24th birthday by getting himself sin-binned in the second half, and his side crucially conceded the opening score while down to 14 men.

Crucial try

Christophe Manas' effort finally separated the two sides by more than three points while also breaking the Exiles' stubborn resistance.

Scotland international Nathan Hines crossed for a late second try that secured a home victory on a cold and wet Saturday afternoon.

As well as giving up their perfect record in Europe, Irish also lost flanker Kieran Roche with a suspected broken cheekbone after he came into contact with the elbow of Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater.

However, it was the departure of the influential Mike Catt at half time that cost the visitors dear in a tight contest played out in terrible conditions.

The World Cup winner showed his value to the cause at both ends of the field, producing a try-saving tackle to deny Manas while also proving a pivot in attack with some probing kicks.

The home side also suffered from the heavy going, with World Cup-winning full-back Percy Montgomery managing 60 minutes on his debut before giving way due to a dead leg.

Heavy rain turned to snow during the first half, making it difficult for either side to hang onto the ball.

Tough going

Perpignan enjoyed the majority of possession but struggled to turn their superioty into points, managing just a Cedric Rosalen penalty in the opening 40 minutes.

After David Paice had been held up over the line, full-back Peter Hewat's penalty kick meant the scores were level at half time.

The Australian full-back was also on target soon after the break to cancel out a second successul shot at the posts from Rosalen.

Crucially, though, Irish were already down a man following Armitage's reckless high tackle on Adrien Plante that left referee Carlo Damasco with little choice but to reach for his pocket.

Down to 14 the solid defensive line was finally broken, Manas accepting a short pass to burst through a big gap and gallop in under the posts.

Rosalen comfortably converted and then kicked a third penalty in the 72nd minute to push his team's lead into double figures.

He also added the extras following a powerful surge by the pack that allowed Hines to get over the line, leaving the pool wide open with two games to go.