After 10 minutes Justin Fitzpatrick decided it was not a two jersey day and peeled off a layer. London Irish, 6-0 up, were warming to their task. Richmond, seemingly in doddle mode from last season, might have wondered what promotion had let them in for.
But by the end it was Richmond who looked fit for the big time, the Irish who needed luck to go with pluck. They finished outgunned and out on their feet. Extended half-time was not enough; 10 minutes' play between two 40minute siestas might have suited them.
The Irish, though, are ready for the millennium. In Gary Halpin they have a dome with no need of Teflon. A consortium has put them on a sound financial footing and they have retained the services of the Lions lock Jeremy Davidson; Richmond countered him so vigilantly that his partner Malcolm O'Kelly had a field day. Overall, though, they lack physical presence and penetration.
Richmond showed these in abundance and new signings. The Argentinian Rolando Martin stood out in a back row that pummelled away until the defences perforated wide, where the Otago wing Jason Wright twice capitalised with tries. He and the Australian full-back Matthew Pini charged like bullocks.
Adam Vander, more modestly from Haywards Heath via Rosslyn Park, also had two late tries and suggested that Scott Quinnell, whom he replaced, may have his due groin operation without undue weakening of the back row. Quinnell scored the first of five tries to nil.
Six Welshmen on top of their overseas lot make Richmond look more Exiled than the Irish. Allan Bateman and Barry Williams may truly feel so soon. The Welsh Rugby Union is reportedly threatening a life ban if they do not play against Romania on Saturday. All they want is to train with their club and play at Saracens on Sunday too.
Their bankroller Ashley Levett called it "scandalous". Envisaging crowds of 15,000, he is looking ahead to a new stadium. Certainly, for all the hype and hospitality, the Athletic Ground lacks the atmosphere of dedicated support. Levett-ation is all very well but some things cannot be bought.
Richmond: Pini; Wright, Bateman, Hutton, Chapman; A Davies, Moore; McFarland, Williams, Crompton, C Quinnell, R West, Martin, Clarke (capt), S Quinnell. Subs: Harvey for Chapman (half-time); K Davies for Clarke (52 minutes); Vander for S Quinnell (58 mins).
London Irish: O'Shea (capt); Bishop, Burrows, McCall, Woods; Burns, Hogan; Fitzpatrick, Kellam, Halpin, O'Kelly, Davidson, O'Connell, Bird, Yeabsley. Subs: Fulcher for Yeabsley (70 mins); Richards for Hogan (75 mins); Hennessy for Woods (79 minutes).
Referee: E Morrison (Bristol).
Guardian Service
