LONDON Irish lost their only pre-season friendly 45-5 at Munster on Friday night.

Exiles put in a gritty display, ensuring the hosts only led 7-0 at the break, the points coming from a Dan Goggin try and Tyler Bleyendaal's conversion.

With both sides almost completely changed at the interval, Jack O'Sullivan crossed for Munster before JJ Hanrahan added the extras.

Irish hit back, however, with Matt Williams crossing the whitewash.

However, that was as good as it got for Declan Kidney's men, further tries from Mike Haley, Goggin, Hanrahan, Diarmuid Barron and Liam Coombes adding a further gloss to the scoreline for the home side.

Despite the defeat, second row Barney Maddison said: “Having watched the game back, there are a few positives to take from it, with some learnings there for us too.

“There were a fair few lads making their debuts for the club and some senior Academy players pulling on the jersey for the first time, so it was a good hit out, it was what we needed.

"It was our first game following a long pre-season, so it was good to get out there and play.”

He continued: “There was obviously a lot of young lads making their debut, so it shows how well the Academy is doing and the boys will be better for the experience of stepping up to this level.

“It is important we continue to work hard on the training ground so we are prepared for what lays ahead. The match against Munster has provided impetus.”

London Irish begin their Premiership Rugby Cup this coming Saturday with a trip to Gloucester.

l LONDON Irish reached the quarter-finals of the Premiership 7s at Northampton.

In their opening game, two tries apiece from Femi Sofolarin and Timi Olopade and one from Jack Cooke earned a 27-19 bonus-point victory against Gloucester, before they lost 32-10 to Exeter Chiefs.

Having finished runners-up in the pool, they lost the last eight clash with champions Saracens 24-14.

There was another Sofolarin score, mixed with a ferocious 45 metre solo effort from Phil Cokanasiga, which gave Exiles hopes of an upset, but ultimately Sarries were too strong.