LONDON Irish put up a brave display at Gloucester, but a hat-trick of tries from Shane Monahan saw the home side come out on top in the Premiership clash 38-30.

Gloucester took control of the contest early on, thanks to scores from Sione Kalamafoni and Charlie Sharples to take a 12-0 lead.

The Exiles scored their first try from Marland Yarde and he scored another just before the break which Ian Humpreys converted.

However, the home side also scored twice more from Monahan to make it 22-12 at the half-time.

The visitors scored the first try after the interval from Gerard Ellis, but Freddie Burns replied for Gloucester with a penalty.

Yarde’s hat-trick try which Humphreys converted reduced the lead to one point 25-24.

The teams then swapped penalties as Humphreys kicked the Exiles in front and then Gloucester’s Burns replied.

The home side extended their advantage with Monahan’s hat-trick try.

Irish reduced the lead thanks to a Myles Dorrian penalty, but in the final minute Burns replied with this own penalty.

The Exiles complete their Premiership campaign at home to Sale Sharks on Saturday (kick-off 3.15pm).