London Irish’s European return ended in defeat after a late flurry from Edinburgh at Madejski Stadium.

The Exiles battled well in the first half, with Ollie Hoskins’ try leaving the hosts 20-11 behind at the break.

Irish could not turn a good spell of pressure into a try shortly after th restart which would have cut the gap to just two points and the Pro14 outfit pulled clear in the final five minutes to win 37-14.

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Nick Kennedy rang the changes, 12 in total from the side which lost at Leicester Tigers last time out but it was still a strong Exiles line-up including Topsy Ojo and fit again Joe Cokanasiga on the wings.

Slow starts have been London Irish’s Achilles heel in recent weeks, but after an early Edinburgh penalty miss, the hosts took the lead through a Theo Brophy Clews penalty on 10 minutes.

But it was Edinburgh who bagged the first try of the afternoon.

After a lively but error-strewn opening 20 minutes, Richard Cockerill’s side opened up a 12-3 lead on 26 minutes.

Damien Hoyland was the first to cross, wriggling beyond two challenges to reach out and score before Edinburgh exploited gaps in the Exiles defence to give Junior Rasolea an easy score.

But the Exiles hit back, scoring their first try of the day just past the half hour mark. After an initial line-out drive, Irish worked through several pick and goes before Hoskins crashed over.

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However, Brophy Clews missed what appeared to be a straightforward conversion, striking a post.

Edinburgh established a cushion again before the break, quickly cancelling out Hoskins’ score with another Rasolea try in the corner as well as a Sam Hidalgo-Clyne penalty to lead 20-11.

Exiles reduced the deficit 10 minutes after the restart. Brophy Clews had missed a kick from distance a few minutes before but calmly slotted over from inside the 22 after a powerful burst by Cokanasiga.

Hidalgo-Clyne quickly responded in kind, but Cokanasiga showed his pace again just moments later, charging down the right and offloading to Scott Steele, but the scrum half was halted.

Irish continued to increase the pressure but Edinburgh held firm on their own try-line before the Exiles knocked-on and the chance was lost.

It was then Kennedy’s men who were on the back foot, forced to stand up in their own 22 and they stuck to the task well.

But London Irish were struggling to create any chances going forwards and after a yellow card for Conor Gilsenan, Edinburgh wrapped up the win when Jamie Ritchie went over in the closing minutes.

And there was time for one more score from the Scots with replacement Luke Crosbie breaking clear.

Exiles travel to Stade Francais Paris for matchday two next Saturday with both sides seeking a first win of the campaign.

LONDON IRISH: Ransom, Cokanasiga, Fowlie, Williams, Ojo (c) (Loader 73), Brophy Clews (Atkins 79), Meehan (Steele 54), Elrington (Smallbone 62), Woolstencroft (Gleave 54), Hoskins (Chawatama 63), Lloyd, McNally, Northcote-Green, Gilsenan, Lomidze (Curtis-Harris 54).
Try: Hoskins (31)
Pens: Brophy Clews x3 (10,39,55)
Yellow card: Gilsenan (76)

EDINBURGH: Bryce, Fife, Dean, Rasolea, Hoyland (Crosbie 66), Tovey, Hidalgo-Clyne, Dell (Marfo 49), McInally (Cochrane 62), Berghan (Nel 52), McKenzie (c) (Gilchrist 58), Toolis, Ritchie, Hardie (Harries 66), du Preez.
Tries: Hoyland (22), Rasolea x2 (26,35), Ritchie (76), Crosbie (80)
Cons: Tovey (24), Hidalgo-Clyne x2 (78,80)
Pens: Hidalgo-Clyne x2 (34,58)

Referee: Dan Jones
Attendance: 4,099

Scoring sequence (Irish first): 3-0, 3-5, 3-7, 3-12, 8-12, 8-15, 8-20, 11-20, 14-20, 14-23, 14-28, 14-30, 14-35, 14-37.

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