LONDON Irish rounded off their preparations for the Greene King IPA Championship season with a 46-17 defeat at a strong Leicester Tigers side on Friday night.

Exiles had been beaten 32-28 at two-time European Cup champions Munster in their opening game, but found the going tougher against the Gallagher Premiership heavyweights at Welford Road.

The home side were at full strength, and took an eighth-minute lead thanks to a penalty from England fly-half George Ford.

They extended their lead quickly afterwards as a sizzling break by Telusa Veainu allowed England wing Jonny May to go over under the posts. Ford’s conversion made it 10-0 to Tigers, although Irish responded well with their forwards making ground before earning a penalty.

Greig Tonks (pictured) made no mistake from the tee to cut the deficit to seven points.

However, the home side always looked dangerous – especially in the backs – and they extended their lead when Scottish back row David Denton brushed off a series of would-be defenders to dot down in the 32nd minute.

Two more tries arrived before the half-time interval, former British and Irish Lion Ben Youngs crossing the whitewash before Will Spencer also went over to put Leicester in complete control at 29-3.

Another Ford penalty moved the hosts further ahead, but Exiles hit back in the 53rd minute, Dave Porecki taking a neat inside ball from Ben Meehan before racing 15 metres to score.

Tonks added the extras to reduce the arrears to 32-10, but Jonah Holmes then scampered into the corner for Tigers’ fifth try.

The impressive Tom Stephenson – who impressed after coming on in the centre at half-time along with fellow former Northampton Saint, fly-half Stephen Myler – showed his power to fend off a series of defenders before touching down, but Leicester had the last word when Jordan Olowofela showcased his impressive speed to race away for the final try of the night.

London Irish begin their Championship season at one of the side’s tipped to be among their biggest rivals at the top of the table, Ealing Trailfinders, this coming Saturday (7.15pm).