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A bonus point win in France handed London Irish the perfect start to their campaign but they will be wary of a Mont de Marsan side who proved more than a handful for Gloucester Rugby. - 19/10/2012 10:15
A bonus point win in France handed London Irish the perfect start to their campaign but they will be wary of a Mont de Marsan side who proved more than a handful for Gloucester Rugby.
Despite struggling for form in the Premiership, the Exiles found their rhythm at Bordeaux-Begles where they hit their hosts for six tries.
Samoan international Sailosi Tagicakibau led the rout with a brace while Chris Hala’ufia, Topsy Ojo, Jonathan Joseph and Halani Aulika also crossed in the 43-16 win, their fourth in their last five visits to France.
New Fijian prop Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa is set to get his first taste of European rugby following his arrival at the Madejski Stadium from ACT Brumbies last month.
Mont-de-Marsan are still waiting for their first win of the season and already face an uphill task after failing to get the better of 14-man Gloucester at Stade Guy Boniface.
However two penalties from the boot of Jean-Baptiste Claverie at least secured a losing bonus point that offers a glimmer of hope.
Ian Humphreys helped to cement London Irish's position at the top of Pool 1 with a bonus-point victory over French side Mont de Marsan at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. - 20/10/2012 16:58
Ian Humphreys helped to cement London Irish’s position at the top of Pool 1 with a bonus-point victory over French side Mont de Marsan at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
The fly-half, who signed from Ulster this summer, grabbed a personal tally of 13 points, including a try, as the Exiles built on their bonus point win at Bordeaux Begles last weekend.
Irish crossed for 11 tries and jumped ahead of Gloucester in Pool 1 by a point as the two English Premiership sides continue to fight it out for a place in the knockout stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Irish quickly took a 12-0 lead with tries by backrower Jamie Gibson and lock Bryn Evans before the visitors replied with two penalties from Thibault Duvallet.
Humphreys grabbed a try of his own to extend the home side’s lead and then prop Halani Aulika crossed for the bonus-point try to make it 24-12 at half time.
Wing Topsy Ojo and full back Anthony Watson both claimed a brace of tries after the break, with centre Jonathan Joseph, wing Sailosi Tagicakibau and replacement Jack Winter-Moates also crossing for tries in a convincing display.
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