Richmond came up against an incredibly powerful and motivated London Irish team who with this emphatic win secure a return to the Premiership.

The Richmond players, in front of nearly 3,000 spectators, gave it their all, but in boiling hot conditions and under intense physical pressure throughout the game, were always likely to be on the back foot.

Against all predictions Richmond dominated the first twenty minutes, even after losing loose head prop Jez Cunnew after only five minutes.

They defended superbly and twice got into the Irish 22m area, eventually scoring through No8, Jesse Liston.

A poor restart collection by Richmond gave Irish the field position to score straight back through wing Albert Tuisue.

It took the visitors nearly thirty minutes to take the lead through Ben Loader, but this score was quickly followed by tries for Bryce Campbell and Loader once more thus giving London Irish a 24-7 half time lead.

The beginning of the second half again saw Richmond on the front foot and they were unlucky not to score from good field position.

The Irish response was swift and accurate with TJ Loane scoring twice to secure victory. The power of the Irish pack was further shown with a driving maul scores from lock Josh McNally and Alivereti Veitokani. The final score saw a resounding 46 -7 win for the visitors.

This was by some way the most powerful and accurate team that Richmond have faced this season.

The likes of Richmond’s Toby Saysell and Andrew Boyce tackled their hearts out for the entire match.

As always scrum half Luc Jones sniped and caused problems whilst emergency winger for the day Morgan Ward put in a great shift.

The pack as always did incredibly well in the scrum. Prop Craig Trenier and hooker Ross Grimstone had terrific matches.

Richmond FC Director of Rugby, Steve Hill commented; ‘I cannot be prouder of the effort the whole squad made today.

It was definitely a case of David against Goliath but unfortunately this time Goliath had too much fire power.

Each Richmond player put his body on the line and there will be some very sore players over this weekend.

Other results are out of our control but what is not is the week of preparation we will put in before we take part in the most local of derbies next Saturday against London Scottish.’