European Challenge Cup: London Irish 48-10 Agen

Agen players sing the French national anthem

London Irish ran in eight tries in they eased to a European Challenge Cup Group Pool 5 victory over French side Agen.

Gerard Ellis scored two of them, while Johnny Williams and Joe Trayfoot also went over, as the hosts opened up a 24-3 half-time lead.

Alex Lewington crossed twice in the second half, before Rob McCusker and Sean Maitland also went over within three minutes of each other.

Replacement Felicien Vergnon crossed for Agen's lone second-half try.

Irish claimed their first win of the season, having lost all four of their Premiership fixtures so far.

London Irish assistant coach Clark Laidlaw told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"We're certainly happier than we have been for the last few weeks. The boys have been working hard for a long time now.

"It's been a long time between drinks for the club, so we're delighted to win. It's a bit better feeling than the last two or three weeks for sure.

"There's large aspects of our game that we need to get better at, but we moved the ball a lot better. We got through a lot more content in our attack and got a bit more flow and rhythm to our game.

"That's what we've worked hard on for the last few weeks, just trying to get that attacking game flowing and a little bit of rhythm."

On playing the game against French opposition the day after the attacks in Paris:

"Sometimes it keeps sport in perspective. We get pretty serious about trying to win games of rugby, but ultimately it's just a sport and we're lucky to work in a game that we all love.

"It gives you that reality that it's just a game. There's a lot bigger things in life than just chasing a rugby ball around a field."

London Irish: Maitland; Lewington, Tikoirotuma, Williams, Ojo; Noakes, Allinson; Court, Ellis, Aulika, Sheriff, Symons (capt), McCusker, Trayfoot, Guest.

Replacements: Cruse, Smallbone, Halavatau, Sisi, Narraway, Murphy, Brophy-Clews, Waldouck.

Agen: Tardieu; Nakosi, Heriteau, Roux, Deschamps; Guemes, Abadie (capt); Bethune, Barthomeuf, Chocou, Roidot, Marchois, Miquel, Gal, Baget.

Replacements: Morlay, Afatia, Ryan, Bastien, Vergnon, Darbo, Bouvier, Sicart.

Referee: Gary Conway (Ireland).