©PA
Agen 8-34 London Irish, Stade Armandie
Scorecard
London Irish came up with a five-try performance as they trounced Agen in the opening game of the European Rugby Challenge Cup at Stade Armandie.
Albert Tuisue returning from Fiji’s Autumn Nations Cup campaign started the proceedings with a 11th minute try but Theo Brophy Clews missed out on the conversion. Agen responded back with a penalty kick from Noel Reid in the 15th minute but that remained their only points in the opening half.
London Irish were the dominant side in the first half as they headed into the break with two more tries coming from Tuisue and Steve Mafi but this time Brophy Clews kicked both the conversions as they seized a 3-19 lead.
The Exiles claimed the bonus point with Ollie Hassell-Collins’ try early in the second half before Tevita Railevu dotted down for the hosts in the 50th minute. Jacob Atkins coming off the bench in the 45th minute kicked a penalty goal in the 58th minute to give the visitors a 8-27 lead
Centre Phil Cokanasiga capped off a fantastic game for London Irish with a try in the final minute as they completed a convincing 26 point victory.
Team line-up:
Agen: Saurs; Ibitoye, Vaha, Puletua, Railevu; Reid, Cottin; Correa, N’Gauamo, Yameogo, Vernet, Jordaan, Gerondeau, Jegerlehner, Hayes.
Reserves: Martinez, Demaison, Burin, Phillips, Rohoduru, Gauban, Legarde, Decron.
London Irish: Parton; Stokes, Meakes, Cokanasiga, Hassell-Collins; Brophy Clews, Meehan; Goodrick-Clarke, Cornish, Chawatama, Mahu, Munga, Mafi, Cooke, Tuisue.
Reserves: Matu’u, Elrington, Green, Curtis-Harris, Smart, Brand, Atkins, Joseph.
