England star stands accused of 'blinding'

The Exiles flew home yesterday still seething about the incident during their 23-6 Pool 1 defeat at the Stade Aime Giral. Although initial fears that Rochemay have been blinded in his left eye appear to have receded, he is still due to visit a specialist in London amid concerns about damage to the eyeball.

In the 33rd minute of an otherwise uneventful match, a scrum collapsed and Freshwater appeared to bend down and lean on one of the Irish forwards. As Roche pulled at his arm in an attempt to drag him away, the home captain lashed out and caught him flush in the eye with his left elbow.

Referee Carlo Damasco consulted a touch judge and told Freshwater his team were being penalised but the officials had not identified the offender. Match commissioner John West of Ireland is sure to cite Freshwater.

Coach Brian Smith said: "We had issues last week when Juan Leguizamon was stomped on the head. We forwarded that to the ERC but we've still had no response. We're hopeful that they will act on the Freshwater elbow on Kieran Roche. We're disappointed with the refereeing performance."

Former England back Mike Catt, who was in majestic form in the appalling conditions until being forced off at half-time, said: "We all saw it. But Perry's not a cheap-shot merchant, he's not that kind of guy. He just caught him."

Perpignan exploited the poor weather by grinding the Irish down with their heavy pack. The visitors' lineout malfunctioned but it was Delon Armitage's second-half sin-binning for a high tackle which proved decisive.

While the centre was off the field, Christophe Manas scored the hosts' first try then Perpignan snuffed out the last trace of Irish resistance when Scotland lock Nathan Hines drove over in the right corner two minutes from time. However, despite failing to claim a bonus point, the Exiles remain top of Pool 1.

PERPIGNAN: Montgomery (Porical 61min); Manas, Martin-Aramburu, Grandclaude, Plante; Rosalen, Cusiter (Durand 69); Freshwater (Mas 58), Guirado, Pulu, Olibeau, Hines, Britz, Chouly, Alvarez.

LONDON IRISH: Hewat; De Vedia, D Armitage, Mapusua, Tagicakibau; Catt (Geraghty 61), Richards (Hodgson 70); Dermody (D Murphy 70), Paice, Skuse (Lea'aetoa 59), Kennedy, Casey, Roche (Thorpe 34), Danaher, P. Murphy. Sin Bin: D. Armitage (49min).