MATCH REACTION: Kennedy is ready for Twickenham

London Irish's pre-season finished on a high as the Exiles registered a 12-50 win away to Richmond.

The match saw eight players each bagging a try with Blair Cowan, Petrus Du Plessis, Fergus Mulchrone, Topsy Ojo, Brendan McKibbin, Isaac Curtis-Harris, Ben Ransom and Dave Porecki all crossing the whitewash.

 Tommy Bell was in form with five conversions adding to the London Irish tally.

 After finishing pre-season on a victorious note, London Irish director of rugby, Nick Kennedy is pleased with Saturday's performance at the Athletic Ground:

 "We got what we wanted from it.  We wanted some match fitness for the 29 guys who got the runout, and they got the chance to try and stake their claim for a starting spot," said Kennedy.

 "Richmond gave us a tough test.  They posed a few tough phases of play for us which I thought we handled well. Our defence was good. I’m disappointed to let in a couple of scores but we'll go back and watch the video to make sure that we're sharp in those areas."

 Kennedy's men now look forward to the London Double Header where they face Harlequins at Twickenham next Saturday:

 "We’ve had three good pre-season games, not to mention a good six or seven weeks training where the boys have been superb," added Kennedy.

"We've been working extremely hard trying to develop our game from last year as well as cementing all of the good things that we've put in place in the last year so we’re really excited to take on Quins at Twickenham.  It doesn’t get any bigger really and we all can’t wait!

"It’s going to be a good week. There’ll be a real energy about us this week, a real excitement and anticipation for the game, and we’ll arrive at Twickenham raring to go."

London Irish head to Twickenham to start the Aviva Premiership Rugby Season by renewing their rivalry against Harlequins in the London Double Header on Saturday 2 September.

London Irish v Harlequins kicks off at 4.45pm following Saracens v Northampton Saints at 2pm and tickets are available from £25 for adults and £15 for children from www.lidirect.co.uk/events.aspx or by calling 0118 968 1016.