Exiles thrash Rovigo

London Irish made mincemeat of Rovigo in the opening round of the European Challenge Cup, running in a dozen tries on the way to a 78-3 victory at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

London Irish made mincemeat of Rovigo of Italy in the opening round of the European Challenge Cup, running in a dozen tries on the way to a 78-3 victory at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Elvis Seveali'i scored twice for the Exiles, as did the returning Peter Richards, as they recorded their biggest margin of victory and their highest-ever score in a European fixture.

Sailosi Tagicakibau, Seilala Mapusua, Paul Hodgson, Delon Armitage, Topsy Ojo and Shane Geraghty added the other tries, with Rovigo also conceding a penalty try after 32 minutes.

Former Warratahs full-back Peter Hewat kicked eight conversions for Irish, with Delon Armitage also adding an extra two points.

All Rovigo could muster was a single penalty from South Africa Sevens star Stefan Basson during the early stages of the first-half.

The scorers:

For the London Irish:
Tries: Tagicakibau, Mapusua, Hodgson, Seveali'i 2, Armitage, Ojo, penalty, Richards 2, Hala'ufia, Geraghty
Cons: Armitage, Hewat 8

For Rovigo:
Pen: Basson

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Touch judges: Stephan Pomarède (France), Didier Dussaut (France)
Television match official: Bob Ockenden (England)