Ealing Trailfinders boss Mike Cudmore concedes his side could not cope with London Welsh's greater physicality as they crumbled during a second half onslaught.

The Green Army were in the game and even ahead just before the break until they conceded a match-turning try from a driving maul and then shipped three tries after having star forward George Merrick sin-binned.

“The size, shape and physicality compared to us is on a different level,” Cudmore said.

“They are a very good full-time side and we know we're always going to be playing catch-up in that respect – and I think that showed after 50 minutes. We were struggling after that. They were running hard at us and we were having to over-work.

“The boys never let you down. They always work hard. But sometimes you've just got to hold your hands up and admit you just weren't good enough on the day.”

Ealing's director of rugby added: “We were punished massively for the sin-binning. At this level, you expect it. You can't play with 14 men.

“The frustrating thing was that they scored three tries off our mistakes. But they are a good at what they do. They are a strong side. They are a big side. They're very physical.

“I was pleased with certain things we did today, but we were punished for our misdemeanours.

“Our lack of control allowed them to score three tries in the second half and our penalty count was too high – and when we had the ball, we didn't control it enough.”