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Match Day

Delon Armitage
Delon Armitage: abuse alleged

London Irish allege Ulster racism

The BBC understands London Irish will lodge a formal complaint with rugby union authorities concerning alleged insults of a racial nature from an Ulster player in tonight's Heineken Cup clash.

audio Highlights: Ulster 29-13 London Irish >
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Listen to post-match reaction from Brian Smith:
audio Smith: 'no room for Ulster nonsense' >
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"One or two things have happened at the end of each game," London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith told BBC Radio Berkshire following his side's 29-13 defeat at Ravenhill.

"We'll do whatever we need to on Monday in terms of putting some issues in writing.

"Rugby should bring people together and there's no room for some of the nonsense one of our players has had to put up with for two weeks in a row now."

BBC Berkshire understands the complaint relates to alleged insults of a racial nature from an Ulster player, directed at Irish's Delon Armitage.

Brian Smith's comments follow a scrappy game in which Shane Geraghty twice gave Irish a first half lead, either side of an Andrew Trimble try for Ulster.

Read the full match report here:
BBC Sport: London Irish >

The Exiles took a 6-5 advantage into the break but the withdrawal of Mike Catt at half time appeared to have a considerable effect on the visitors.

London Irish v Ulster
London Irish v Ulster

And shortly afterwards David Humphreys, the provider for Trimble's early score, caught London Irish out to restore the home side's advantage with a clever poacher's try.

Humphreys pretended to go for the posts from a penalty but never told the referee, quickly tapped and scampered over in the corner.

Humphreys then kicked a penalty before Neil McMillan's try put the result beyond doubt, although Gonzalo Tiesi scored to inject a little life into the game.

Bob Casey's yellow card left 14-man Irish to concede another try at the hands of Ulster's Paul Steinmetz.

Brian Smith said he had no complaints about David Humphreys' cheeky try, but suggested the laws which allowed it should be changed.

"He's been awarded the try but you might want to amend the laws," said Smith. He faked for the posts and that try gave them the gap.

Smith was far more troubled by the attitude of the Exiles' opponents.

"There's no love lost between these squads from number 1 to number 22 and it carries on through the management.

"Mike Catt was taken out in a late tackle and he might be out for a month - it should have been dealt with by the match officials.

"That's just one illustration of what's been a very interesting two weeks playing against this mob."

last updated: 15/12/06
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