Happy New Year!

Santiago Carreras provided the perfect end to an up and down 2022 with a last gasp penalty to break Irish hesarts. The Exiles had led 6-5 in a a game as hard-fought as that scoreline suggests. 

The try line proved a barrier to both sides with only Matias Alemanno being able to breach it in the first half with  Paddy Jackson notching a penalty in reply. Unfortunately, Santiago Socino was stretchered off with a leg injury with George McGuigan on for his home debut.

Jackson then put his side in front with another pen as Albert Tuisue was sin-binned for a high tackle on Bernhard Janse van Rensburg.

It looked like Irish would hold out as the clock ticked into the red zone, and even when Gloucs were awarded a  scrum penalty on the half-way few dared hope. Santi knew otherwise.

A relieved George Skivington told the media: "We had to make a lot of changes through injuries and illness so I'm really pleased that we stuck to our simple game plan.

"Santi is a world-class player and he delivered under pressure. He'd made a hash of the conversion but then he went from zero to hero."