LONDON Irish launched their British & Irish Cup campaign with a convincing 25-14 bonus-point victory away to Ospreys Premiership Select.

A young Exiles side containing nine Academy graduates including current Redingensians Rams star Jacob Atkins were too strong for their Welsh hosts at Neath's famous Gnoll ground on Saturday.

Ross Neal, Ben Ransom, Senitiki Nayalo and Richard Palframan all scored tries for Nick Kennedy's visitors who extended their winning start to the season to seven matches in all competitions.

Heavy rain in Wales made playing conditions difficult and Irish were quicker to adapt when Neal charged down a clearance kick before touching down in the sixth minute, with Greig Tonks failing to convert from the touchline.

A strong start from Irish continued with standing-in skipper Conor Gilsenan and Joe Cokanasiga cutting through the Ospreys defence with ease as the visitors ramped up the pressure.

Kennedy's men extended their lead before the half-hour mark when ex-Saracens back Ransom coasted through a gap in midfield before racing half the length of the pitch, with Tonks knocking over a simple conversion for a 12-0 lead.

But the first half ended with Ospreys on top and they reduced the arrears when Keiran Williams ran a smart line before crashed over, with Luke Price adding the extras to leave them training 12-7 at the break.

Conditions got even worse after the break, but that did not stop Irish from notching a third try when a rolling maul ended with Nayalo scoring on his debut allowing Tonks to convert for 17-7.

The lead increased further thanks to a Tonks penalty soon after after Ospreys were pinged at the breakdown.

As the number of errors crept up in the slipper conditions, it was Ospreys who scored next when former Exile Rob McCusker squeezed over from a driving lineout and Price's outstanding touchline conversion left the hosts trailing 20-14.

But as the Welsh side pressed for a converted score that would have put them in front in the closing stages, Irish killed off fears of a comeback when Palframan went over right at the death to seal the bonus point.

It was an impressive display from the young Exiles, who had only called up Atkins two days before the game and also included ex-Wellington College duo Tom Parton and Matt Williams in their matchday squad.

Irish are now preparing for another British & Irish Cup clash when they host Connacht Eagles at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm).

London Irish: Ransom (Williams 57), Parton (Atkins 70), Fowlie, Neal, Cokanasiga, Tonks, Allinson (Murphy 57), Elrington, Gleave, Hoskins (Palframan 50), Lloyd, Sexton, Northcote-Green (Cooke 57), Gilsenan (c), Nayalo. Subs not used: Paice, Coman, Williams.