London Irish and Bordeaux-Begles had nothing to play for but pride but neither side took a backwards step in this classic Anglo-French clash at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.

The visitors opened the scoring and caught their hosts cold when big No8 Damien Larrieu crashed over for the game's first try on 10 minutes to give Bordeaux-Begles an early lead.

The Exiles hit back with a try of their own through full-back Jonathan Joseph to draw level towards the end of the first half before centre Steven Shingler landed a late penalty to make it 10-7 to the home side at the break.

Bordeaux fly-half Nicolas Sanchez missed a penalty and drop goal attempt that would have put the visitors ahead at the start of the second-half before wing Marland Yarde scored London Irish' second try.

Shingler added the conversion to make it 17-7 midway through the second half and consign the Top 14 team to their sixth straight defeat in this Amlin Challenge Cup pool.