Needing assistance from Sixways, Worcester's 22-8 victory over Saracens instead sealed their fate with two matches of the regular season remaining.

History repeated itself as the west country club were condemned to a season in National One at the same venue they endured relegation in 2003 - the last time they went down.

A 41-21 mauling by Irish dumped them out of the top flight that year and the Exiles were just as irrepressible this afternoon as they put their outgunned opponents to the sword.

Tries from Scott Linklater and David Lemi, the first after an impressive spell, offered Bristol a glimmer of hope that quickly vanished with Luke Eves grabbing a late consolation score.

England lock Kennedy and winger Adam Thompstone led the assault with two tries each while Steffon Armitage and Paul Hodgson also crossed in a result that has strengthened Irish's play-off claims.

The Exiles' clinical finishing was crucial given they squandered 19 points through goalkickers Tom Homer, Delon Armitage and Seilala Mapusua.