LONDON Irish maintained their unbeaten start to their European Challenge Cup campaign, with a 25-15 victory over French side Grenoble.

It leaves the Exiles locked at the top of Pool A with Cardiff Blues, who their meet in their next match of the competition in Wales on December 6.

The game in France on Friday night, saw the home side take the lead thanks to the boot of Irish born James Hart.

The Exiles replied as centre Fergus Mulchrone scored the first try of the match, which was not converted.

Hart with another penalty made it 6-5, but once again Irish hit back with a try from prop Halanu Aulika, which Shane Geraghty converted.

For the third time in the first 40 minutes, Hart was able to keep his side in touch, but another try from the visitors this time from Alex Lewington made it 17-9 at the break.

After the interval, Hart again found his range with the boot with two penalties to narrow the lead to two points.

Irish’s Chris Noakes then landed a penalty of his own, before Luke Narraway’s try just after the hour, made sure of the victory.

The Exiles are next in action in the LV= Cup when they entertain Leicester at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).