NEWPORT were humiliated as they suffered a five tries to one thrashing from London Irish at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, yesterday.

It sent Newport crashing out of the Heineken Cup - for good if provincial rugby comes in - after suffering their third defeat in four Pool games.

And the Welsh clubs' argument against provincial rugby was dealt a heavy blow with Newport, Cardiff and Swansea all badly beaten by English opposition yesterday.

Newport were simply outplayed by a better side and paid a heavy price for having skipper Simon Raiwalui and fellow lock Ian Gough both yellow-carded.

They also fell foul of Italian referee Antonio Lombardi's high penalty count and, believe it or not given the final scoreline, they tackled bravely.

But having said that the reality is that Newport suffered a right thrashing by a side playing at a tempo which they could never remotely match.

They were rarely in the hunt as an attacking force and conceded 21 points in each half. Barry Everitt was the London Irish lynchpin, scoring 22 points himself from a try, three penalties and four conversions.

But there could be few excuses for Newport - a pale shadow of the side of the past few seasons and in urgent need of inspiration with only the Welsh League and Principality Cup left open to them this season now.

Newport were without scrum half Ofisa Tonu'u because of thigh and shoulder injuries whereas London Irish included influential player coach Brendan Venter, though not in the team originally announced.

Straight away Dale Burn, the replacement for Tonu'u caused a scare in the home flanks by charging down a relieving kick from Everitt only for the ball to sail over the dead ball line.

But Newport fell behind in the third minute when Everitt kicked a wide angled penalty after a Newport forward was pulled up for throwing a punch.

Despite conceding an early advantage Newport were playing with bags of commitment at this stage, Luscombe and Raiwalui both making headway.

But Newport suffered a heavy blow after 15 minutes when Raiwalui was yellow-carded rather harshly for an alleged heavy and high tackle on fullback Horak.

Everitt put the penalty into touch and though Newport held up the drive from the line out, Everitt found the space to slice over for a try between the posts which he converted.

More heavy home pressure took its toll when a Newport cover was dragged in and winger Bishop had the easy task of scoring in the corner.

Newport had crucially conceded 12 points in the absence of their captain, but it got little better when he returned as they were forced into desperate defence.

Newport got caught offside trying to stop the tidal wave and Everitt made no mistake with another penalty.

Newport launched a spirited counter, Mostyn and Luscombe both making inroads from opposite wings until Mostyn knocked on.

In first half injury time Everitt landed his third penalty for a 21-0 interval lead. Newport were quickly on the back foot at the start of the second half as London Irish again attacked in waves.

Bishop was allowed to wriggle free down the flank and Venter nabbed the try which Everitt converted.

Newport responded by putting on Snow, Gough, Veater and Scott Williams for Jones, Voyle, Powell and Marinos, respectively, while London Irish changed both props.

Newport showed a bit more urgency and for the first time threatened the home line. When Irish international back row forward Kieron Dawson came in from the wrong side he was sin-binned, giving Newport further advantage.

But they immediately spoilt it when Gough got himself yellow-carded for trampling at a ruck.

Howarth limped off after 59 minutes, replaced by Matt Pini, making a farewell appearance for Newport before returning to Australia on Tuesday - and probably glad to be out of the mess which is Welsh rugby.

He couldn't prevent London Irish from scoring their fourth try eight minutes from the end when Everitt chipped over a static defence and Horak won the race for the touchdown. Everitt converted, as he did the final Irish try three minutes from the end when replacement Cockle forced his way over.

Though it was far too late Newport rinally roused themselves as Williams almost made it to the line but they were embarrassingly dispossessed as the home crowd chanted for 50 points.

But instead it was Newport who gained some consolation as Jason Jones-Hughes strolled over for a try in injury time, though there was a suspicion of crossing in the move. But Strange hit the post with the conversion attempt from bang in front. That said it all.

London Irish: M Horak, P Sackey, N Burrows, B Venter (M Mapletoft 56 mins), J Bishop, B Everitt, H Martens, M Worsley (N Hatley 46), N Drotske (R Kirke 52), S Halford (R Hardwick 46), R Strudwick (capt), G Delaney, P Gustard (J Cockle 68), C Sheasby, K Dawson. Scorers: Tries - Everitt, Bishop, Venter, Horak, Cockle; Conversions - Everitt (4); Penalties - Everitt (3).

Newport: S Howarth (M Pini 59), M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, A Marinos (S Williams 46), H Luscombe, J Strange, D Burn, C Jones (R Snow46), P Young (J Richards 63), C Anthony, S Raiwalui (capt), M Voyle (I Gough 46), J Powell (M Veater 46), S Ojomoh, G Gravell. Scorer: Try - J Jones-Hughes.