London Irish thrash Castres to reach Challenge Cup quarter-finals

London Irish secured their place in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a 10-try demolition of French Top 14 club Castres.

Irish won 64-27 at the Brentford Community Stadium and will now travel to play either Toulon or Benetton Rugby in the last eight.

Hooker Augustin Creevy scored two first-half tries and Curtis Rona, Tom Pearson, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Kyle Rowe all touched down before the break.

Castres responded with converted second-half tries from Rory Kockott and Theo Chabouni, plus Ben Botica’s penalty, to close the gap to 40-27.

But the Exiles cut loose in the final 10 minutes as Matt Rogerson, Will Joseph, Matt Cornish and Benhard Janse Van Rensburg all crossed. Paddy Jackson was successful with seven conversions.

Wasps booked their quarter-final place – a trip to either Edinburgh or Bath – with a 39-29 win at Top 14 strugglers Biarritz Olympique.

Back row Alfie Barbeary went over for a hat-trick of tries in between touch downs for Jacob Umaga and England scrum-half Dan Robson. Jimmy Gopperth landed four conversions and two penalties.