Sunday saw the biggest crowd of the season at The Richmond Athletic Ground as Scottish welcomed their Celtic rivals London Irish in what turned out to be a one-sided affair.

Irish ran out seven tries to two victors as they showed their premiership quality against a brave Scottish outfit who will know they were better than the 54-17 score line suggested.

With household names littering the Irish line-up it didn’t take them long to get on the scoresheet. Five minutes played, and after a dozen phases the defence had been pulled in tight to the ruck. Ben Meehan, who was superb all half, sent the ball wide where it found Tom Parton on the wing to score in the corner. The influential Stephen Myler added the extras.

Scottish answered right back through the evergreen and now iconic Mark Bright. A huge carry from Stevenson dragged Scottish into the Irish 22. The ball was recycled, and Scottish drove their way over the defence up to the try line; from the back of a ruck, captain Bright spotted space and dived for the line.

Scottish looked good in attack and put some nice phases together, the Irish defence was flawless and offered no give. Minutes after Scottish drew level, Irish were awarded a 5m scrum. Meehan sent the ball wide to Macken who had enough space on the wing to score in the corner.

On the 19th minute, Scottish were under all sorts of pressure so it came as a huge blow when they lost their own lineout on the Irish 5m line and their ruthless opponents went the length of the field and dotted down to make the score 21-7.

Another scrum, and another try for Irish. Meehan & Myler were controlling the game, and from the back of a scrum, pinged the ball wide to McLean to score.

Scottish’s passing let them down. Irish scooped the ball up and attacked. Irish went through the phase and it was inevitable that they would score. Rogerson crossed the whitewash with the ball, and Myler converted for a fifth time in the first half. Half time score, Scottish 10-35 Irish.

Scottish improved second half but Irish were once again unwavering in defence and ruthless in attack.

Uanivi saw yellow on the 53rd minute, and Irish capitalised on that advantage. From a 5m line out, the catch & drive rumbled towards the line, and a few phases later Treviranus crossed to score.

Further tries from Australian international Saia Fainga’a and Oli Hoskins either side of a Veratu touchdown brought the score to 17-54.

Without doubt Scottish did not play at their best, but you have to applaud London Irish for their resilience in defence and their variety of attack.