It has been a difficult week for London Irish and at times this victory was equally trying but a promising season ends on a triumphant note. The future is undoubtedly bright for the Exiles on the pitch if it can be secured off it. It remains a huge if, though their director of rugby, Declan Kidney, expressed confidence it will be. But a best league finish for 14 years is some platform upon which to build if the impending takeover by a US consortium is completed.
Kidney was as animated as he gets after a scrappy, error-strewn victory. The uncertainty, the late wages, the empty promises, the question marks over insurance cover all added up to one of the most challenging periods in his coaching career.
