Ojo breaks the records

Stade Français Paris 7 London Irish 44

TOPSY OJO marked his recordbreaking appearance with two tries as London Irish produced a superb display in Paris.

After losing their Challenge Cup opener to Edinburgh, the Exiles were in desperate need of some points on the board and they ended their six-game losing streak in style with a resounding success against cup holders Stade Français.

As well as Ojo’s brace, Conor Gilsenan, Ben Meehan, Lovejoy Chawatama, Ben Ransom and Scott Steele all crossed the whitewash in the memorable bonus-point success.

“It was a great game to be part of,” said Ojo, who surpassed Justin Bishop’s record of 281 appearances for the club.

“Everyone stepped up and did a fantastic job, so it made it a memorable game for me.

“To come to France and win at any time is special and we’re delighted.”

He added: “It was nice to get on the score-sheet twice and I guess you couldn’t write the script, but it was a huge team effort.

“We started the game well and we finished the game well, which was very pleasing to see so testament to the lads.”

Nick Kennedy made just one change from the side which lost the pool opener with Teofilo Paulo replacing Josh McNally in the pack.

And Exiles wasted little time in racing into a 19-0 lead with less than 15 minutes on the clock.

Gilsenan dotted down from close range to break the deadlock after a fabulous break with some impressive handling throughout the side.

Ojo then added a second on eight minutes, pouncing on a kick through to mark his big day in style.

But it was the winger’s second try which will live long in the memory as he intercepted a pass inside his own 22 and sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the posts.

Scrum-half Meehan was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul midway through the half, which allowed Stade back into the game with a try from Bakary Meite.

However, Meehan returned and scored a try himself to open up a 24-7 advantage at the break.

And that is how the scores stayed until the final 10 minutes as Irish soaked up spells of pressure before scoring three late tries through Chawatama, Ransom and Steele.

Irish return to league action on Saturday with a trip to Premiership leaders

Saracens.

LONDON IRISH: Ransom, Cokanasiga, Fowlie, Williams (Mulchrone 71),

Ojo (c), Brophy Clews (Atkins 77), Meehan (Steele 54), Elrington (Smallbone 65), Woolstencroft (Gleave 71), Hoskins (Chawatama 66), Lloyd (McNally 71), Paulo, Northcote-Green (Curtis-Harris 4452), Gilsenan, Lomidze.

Tries: Gilsenan (6), Ojo x2 (8,13), Meehan (38), Chawatama (74), Ransom (77), Steele (80)

Cons: Brophy Clews x2 (9,14), Atkins (80)

Pen: Brophy Clews (68)