Five try Edinburgh outplay London Irish with 14-37 triumph

London Irish 14-37 Edinburgh, Madejski Stadium
Scorecard

Edinburgh kick started their European Challenge Cup campaign with a comfortable 14-37 bonus point win over London Irish at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Fly-half Theo Brophy Clews kicked the proceedings for London Irish with a penalty in the ninth minute but Edinburgh bounced back strongly through tries from winger Damien Hoyland and centre Solomoni Rasolea in the 21st and 25th minutes as they claimed a nine point lead.

Even though London Irish tried to seize the advantage with a touchdown from prop Oli Hoskins and a penalty from Brophy Clews but their efforts were negated by Rasolea's second try and a three pointer from Sam Hidalgo-Clyne as Richard Cockerill's side maintained their nine point lead.

After 14 minutes went without a point in the second half, Brophy Clews and Hidalgo-Clyne exchanged penalties as the home side found it tough to narrow down the gap.

Any chance of a London Irish comeback was put off by a sin bin to Conor Gilsenan in the 75th minute which saw Edinburgh amass two more tries that came from flanker Jamie Ritchie and replacement Luke Crosbie to complete the bonus point victory that saw them claim the top position in Pool 4.