In Pics: Leinster 10 London Irish 25

Pictured above: Recent signing Stephen Keogh gets Leinster off to a flying start as he grounds the ball at Donnybrook’s Bective End for the opening try, despite the best efforts of London Irish flanker Kieran Roche.

Teenage substitute Luke Fitzgerald also grabbed a try but Michael Cheika’s home side were decisively beaten by the four-try Exiles. Former Leinster players Ben Willis (try) and Barry Everitt (conversion and penalty), who came on as substitutes at half-back, were on the scoresheet for Irish.

Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney, who were both members of the Ireland ‘A’ Churchill Cup squad, converge on London Irish full-back Delon Armitage.

Leinster flanker Niall Ronan tries to keep a move going.

Making his home debut for Leinster, Australian scrum half Chris Whitaker is confronted by London Irish’s Tonga Lae’eatoa.

Felipe Contepomi, who has amassed 553 points in 55 games for Leinster, puts Ireland ‘A’ centre Kieran Lewis through a gap against the Exiles.

Former Australian international Owen Finegan reigns at a lineout, with help from Will Green and Jamie Heaslip.

London Irish scrum half and captain Paul Hodgson tries to retain possession under pressure from Jamie Heaslip.

After the game, Aidan McCullen accepted the ‘Captain’ Jack Wakefield Memorial Trophy on behalf of Irish from Leinster Supporters Club chairman Robbie O’Connor and event organiser Dave Cahill. ‘Wee’ Jack, a big supporter of London Irish, sadly lost his battle with brain cancer in June, having captured the hearts and minds of rugby followers in England, Ireland and all over the world.

**All photos by Billy Stickland of Inpho Photography**