Parker Pen Shield: London Irish reach semi-finals

London Irish cruised into the semi-finals of the Parker Pen Shield with a 38-9 win over Pau.

Brendan Venter's men are proving to be cup specialists this season having already reached the last four of the Powergen Cup and they are now only two wins away from an automatic ticket into the Heineken Cup next season as winners of the Shield.

It was the boot of Barry Everitt that laid the foundation for victory as he kicked four penalties in the opening half.

But when he failed to return for the second half, stand in James Brown took over his mantle.

Brown kicked three penalties, dropped a goal and converted his side's two second half tries to turn the score into something of a rout.

The Pau side, winners of this title two seasons ago, lost their composure as the points mounted and Scottish referee Rob Dickson, who had earlier sin-binned a player from each side, sent replacement lock Guillaume Chasserieau packing for a punch with six minutes to go.

By that time England A squad wing Paul Sackey had skinned the home defence for a wonder try and prop Mike Worsley ran in from 12 metres to round off a great night's work for the Irish as they joined Sale Sharks and Gloucester in the hat for the semi-final draw.

There could be an all-England cast for the semi-finals if Saracens beat Pontypridd on Sunday.