Goode Stars In Ricoh Opener

A record-breaking performance from Andy Goode inspired Wasps to a 48-16 win over London Irish as 28,254 attended the Ricoh Arena curtain-raiser in Coventry.

Coventry-born Goode scored 33 points, kicking eight penalties and two conversions to go with his try, to complete a Premiership record for the most points scored by a single player in a game.

The game was very evenly poised at 18-16 to Wasps at half-time, Goode having scored six penalties, but thereafter there was only ever one team in the match as Wasps made a winning start at their new ground following their move from Adams Park in High Wycombe.

London Irish scored the lone try of the first half through full-back Tom Homer, but besides two first-half penalties Irish were unable to score any more points as poor discipline kept them out of reach of the hosts.

Wasps opened the scoring in the second half with good defending in response to a promising London Irish run.

Winger Michael Tagicakibau ripped the ball from a London Irish attacker near the touchline and immediately sent the ball to the midfield where Wasps had the advantage of numbers.

The ball was shifted right and metres were easily made on the new pitch. Christian Wade straightened in his run on the halfway line, making even more ground before offloading in the tackle to send another sweeping move up the right-hand touchline.

The move was finished by Joe Simpson, whose pace was unmatched as he dotted down in the corner to take the lead to 23-16.

Goode furthered that lead when Irish indiscipline afforded him a penalty attempt, which he dutifully slotted over.

On the stroke of the hour, Wasps made a break through Elliot Daly who drew two defenders and popped the ball to Wade, who was tackled deep inside the Irish 22.

London Irish scrambled in defence but hooker David Paice was deemed to not have made enough effort to get onside and was penalised and sent to the bin for 10 minutes.

Goode stepped up to further Irish woes to give his team a 13-point lead with 20 minutes to play.

Pressure from Wasps once again forced a penalty advantage from five metres out but Goode, rather than being asked to slot another kicked, stepped and straightened his run as first receiver and scored under the poles, giving himself an easy conversion.

The blast of the referee's whistle had barely died out from the restart before Wasps were once again deep in Irish territory and Daly crashed over from close range to make it 14 points scored in their period with an extra man on the field.

Irish spent the majority of the final 10 minutes on the Wasps line, but after conceding a penalty the familiar sight of Wasps cruising up the field with swift handling ended with Andrea Masi crossing to finish the game with a try in the final phase of play to hand Wasps a bonus point win in their maiden outing at the Ricoh Arena in front of an Aviva Premiership record crowd for a regular match.