Amlin Challenge Cup: Bordeaux-Begles 16-43 London Irish

Bordeaux-Begles (6) 16

  • Try: Brousse
  • Con: Serin
  • Pens: Munro 2, Talebulamaijaina

London Irish (14) 43

  • Tries: Hala'ufia, Ojo, Aulika, Tagicakibau 2, Joseph
  • Cons: Humphreys 4, Shingler
  • Pen: Humphreys

London Irish made an impressive start to their Challenge Cup campaign with a six-try win over Bordeaux-Begles.

Chris Hala'ufia touched down for Irish, after two Lachie Munro penalties, before Topsy Ojo added a second.

Metuisela Talebulamaijaina and Humphreys exchanged penalties after the interval before Halani Aulika crossed.

Sailosi Tagicakibau's brace ensured the bonus point and Jonathon Joseph ran in a 90m interception ahead of Charles Brousse's late consolation.

LINE-UPS

Bordeaux-Begles: Forbes, Rofes, Poirot, Navickas, Tisseau, Gibouin, Kitshoff, Koyamaibole, Seron, Munro, Brana, Denetre, Brousse, Vasuinubu, Domvo.

Replacements: Larrieu for Gibouin (60), Labbe for Koyamaibole (60).

Sin Bin: Kitshoff (48), Rofes (58).

London Irish: Shingler; Ojo, Joseph, Armitage, Tagicakibau; Humphreys, O'Leary; Lahiff, Paice, Aulika; Evans, Garvey; Treviranus, Gibson, Hala'ufia.

Replacements: Winter-Moates for Garvey (61), Low for Treviranus (61), Danaher for Hala'ufia (38), Gray for O'Leary (61).

Att: 7,800

Ref: Dudley Phillips (RFU).

London Irish: Shingler; Ojo, Joseph, Armitage, Tagicakibau; Humphreys, O'Leary; Lahiff, Paice, Aulika, Evans (captain), Garvey; Treviranus, Gibson, Hala'ufia.

Replacements: Blaney, Palframan, Griffiths, Low, Danaher, Gray, Watson, Moates.