Ireland coach Brian Ashton watched gloomily from the stands as Richmond boosted their European qualification hopes by thrashing London Irish at Sunbury on Saturday. Six tries from Richmond, including two for speedy 21-year-old wing Dominic Chapman, featured in the rout - and Ashton saw little from the nine Irish internationals on show to cheer him as this year's Five Nations Championship looms.
Kevin Bowring, his Wales counterpart, was not spotted in the crowd - but he will be happy to hear the news of Richmond's seven-strong Welsh contingent.
Scott and Craig Quinnell, in particular, look almost back to their powerful best - older brother Scott crashing over for Richmond's third try on the half-hour. Centre Allan Bateman and scrum-half Andy Moore also scored tries to add to the Welsh flavour. Ashton was left to console himself with the fact that, in all probability, only a couple of the Irish internationals involved in Saturday's match will make the start of the Five Nations campaign.
Three penalties from Niall Woods were all Irish could muster, before the left wing went over for a consolation 75th-minute try to give Irish fans at least one touchdown to cheer. But by then, Chapman had crossed for a second time. Richmond's last two tries came in the final moments to underline their superiority.
The coach of relegation-threatened London Irish, Willie Anderson, said: "Our aim remains staying up and if we can make a few additions to our playing strength, then I still think we can do it."
Anderson added that Irish were hoping to complete the signings this week of forwards Nick Harvey, an Australian, and West Samoan number eight Isaac Feaunati.
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