European Challenge Cup: Agen 8-34 London Irish
- Published
Ollie Hassell-Collins secured the bonus point for London Irish with their fourth try early in the second half
European Challenge Cup |
|---|
Agen (3) 8 |
Try: Railevu Pen: Reid |
London Irish (19) 34 |
Tries: Tuisue 2, Mafi, Hassell-Collins, Cokanasiga Cons: Brophy Clews 2, Atkins Pen: Atkins |
London Irish began their European Challenge Cup campaign with a bonus-point win at Top 14 strugglers Agen.
Two early tries from number eight Albert Tuisue were followed by Steve Mafi stealing the ball for a third before half-time for a 19-3 lead.
Ollie Hassell-Collins scored a brilliant fourth for the bonus point before Phil Cokanasiga crossed for their fifth just before full-time.
Agen could only manage one try in reply from winger Tevita Railevu.
Victory for Irish ended a run of four successive defeats in the competition and piled more pressure on Agen, who are bottom of the French top flight without a win in 11 matches this season.
Tuisue wasted little time in settling back to life at Irish after being on Autumn Nations Cup duty with Fiji.
He dotted down at the end of two well-executed rolling mauls in the first half before flanker Mafi stole the ball from Agen hands as they looked to exit from an intercepted line-out.
Winger Hassell-Collins scored the pick of the tries early in the second half as he beat four defenders and had just enough pace and reach to touch down in the left corner.
It was a disappointing afternoon for former Harlequins winger Gabriel Ibitoye, who was starved of the ball for the hosts while ex-Leicester fly-half Noel Reid was only able to slot one penalty off the tee.
Cokanasiga, the younger brother of Bath and England winger Joe, put the seal late on for Irish to record their sixth win in seven meetings against Agen.
Line-ups
Agen: Saurs; Ibitoye, Vaha, Puletua, Railevu; Reid, Cottin; Correa, N'Gauamo, Yameogo, Vernet, Jordaan, Gerondeau, Jegerlehner, Hayes.
Replacements: 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 (capt), Tuisue.
Replacements: Matu'u, Elrington, Green, Curtis-Harris, Smart, Brand, Atkins, Joseph.
Referee: Chris Busby (Ire).
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