Seven up for Exiles

They may not be advancing in the competition but London Irish have nevertheless ended their EDF Energy Cup run in style by scoring seven tries in a 48-27 victory against Worcester.

Flanker Richard Thorpe led the way with a brace - one in each half - as the sides belied both the fact the match was a dead rubber and the poor playing conditions to turn on the style.

Each used the opportunity to field fringe players and, with the chance to shine duly taken, the early exhanges proved frenetic. Indeed, both packs came to blows in the opening minutes.

The Exiles had the edge early on and should have gone ahead when Eoghan Hickey - in for Mike Catt at fly-half - missed a simple penalty opportunity right in front of the posts.

But they made amends soon afterwards with a well-taken try - captain Bob Casey breaking clear before neat passing between Sailosi Tagicakibau and Gonzalo Tiesi allowed the Argentine centre to go over in the corner.

Back foot

Hickey converted and Irish continued to press forward; nevertheless, they were on the back foot after 25 minutes when the Warriors responded against the run of play.

Their forward line still put together successive phases, however, with good hands from fly-half Joe Carlisle and Kai Horstmann then setting up winger Miles Benjamin to dive over on the flank.

But a more normal service was soon resumed and, after Tiesi was stopped short, quick ball allowed flanker Steffon Armitage to crash over, with Hickey once more finding the target.

Overstretched

The game really started to open up in the latter stages of the opening period and, after Worcester had scored their second when Marcel Garvey intercepted and touched down, the Exiles went one better by taking advantage of an overstretched defence to send Thorpe over for his first.

Irish extended the gap soon after the break when the incisive Tiesi once more made inroads before freeing the shadowing Tagicakibau but, after Hickey had booted another penalty, Horstmann was on hand to finish off a staccato run from Carlisle.

The conditions worsened but the Exiles maintained their flowing style and were rewarded on the hour when tries from Nils Mordt and Thorpe effectively settled matters.

Lock Will Bowley grabbed two late tries back for the Warriors but London Irish kept their collective foot on the accelerator and following a break from Topsy Ojo, Warren Fury touched down number seven for the home side.