MUNSTER’S FRANCIS SAILI had to be stretchered off the field in a neck brace this evening, in just his second appearance for the province.
The 24-year-old had scored a try to send Munster 21-3 ahead against London Irish, was stretchered from the field following a lengthy delay wearing a neck brace, having impressed the crowd in the first half.
Saili had sailed in under the posts to give the hosts a commanding lead against the Aviva Premiership side, after two Andrew Conway tries were converted by debutant Bill Johnston.
The mood in Cork was dampened after Saili’s injury, with the centre needing 15 minutes of treatment before being lifted from the pitch.
London Irish hit back late on with two tries through Christian Lewis-Pratt and Alex Lewington making it a 21-15 win for Munster, on a night where the result will be long forgotten.
After the game, Munster confirmed that the player had been taken to hospital.
Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe both crossed for tries for Ulster this evening, but it wasn’t enough to stop Edinburgh coming out on top in their pre-season meeting at Goldenacre.
Bowe got Ulster off the mark in the first half against the Scottish side, finishing after Stuart McCloskey’s powerful break.
Magnus Bradbury and Otulea Katoa added tries for Edinburgh to give them a 17-5 lead at the break, with Tommy Bowe coming off for Louis Ludik after his try-scoring run out in the opening 40.
Andrew Trimble then brought Ulster back into nit on his first outing for the province since October, but two penalties for Edinburgh’s Jack Cuthbert sealed the win for Edinburgh, in the last pre-season game before next week’s Pro12 kick off.
Elsewhere Isa Nacewa made a winning return to Dublin, scoring a try as they beat English Championship side Moseley 68-0 in Donnybrook.
Leinster led 21-0 at half time, with Nacewa’s try coming in between scores for Mick McGrath and Dan Leavy, Nacewa converting all three.
Two tries in quick succession for Jack Conan stretched the lead at the start of the second half, as Leinster tried out several squad players,.
They were ruthless the longer the game progressed, racking up the score with Tadhg Beirne, a penalty try Fergus McFadden, Josh van den Flier and Darragh Fanning all dotting down to wrap up a comprehensive 68-0 win against their league opener in Edinburgh next week.
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