Exiles in

London Irish will go into their Championship season on the back of three pre-seasons wins after they defeated Loughborough Students at Hazelwood on Friday.

For their third game under new Director of Rugby Nick Kennedy, Irish ran in seven tries to put the National League 1 side to the sword ahead of next weekend’s season opener against Doncaster Knights at the Madejski Stadium.

He said: “Pre-season is done and dusted and our focus is very much on getting a win against Doncaster next week. The guys are really looking forward to getting the season underway.”

Irish got off to a flying start on eight minutes when Jebb Sinclair added the finishing touches to a dominant rolling maul.

However, Loughborough were soon on level terms thanks to centre Owen Waters who scored in the corner

The Exiles retook the lead on 22 minutes by virtue of a Jason Harris-Wright try and Kennedy’s men extended their lead with the half hour mark approaching as Darren Allinson dotted down

Not deterred by the score line, Loughborough demonstrated their resilience and reduced the deficit just before the break when openside flanker Andrew Boyce swept in at the corner.

Loughborough went in front early in the second half thanks to full-back Will Edwards but Irish kept their composure to regain the initiative moments later with two tries in quick succession through a driving maul and Fergus Mulchrone.

There was still time for two more tries which came from Conor Murphy and Gerard Ellis.