Irish ready for semi tussle

Powergen Cup holders London Irish are ready for a massive semi-final tussle with Northampton on March 2, hoping that history can repeat itself.

Irish crushed Saints 38-7 in last season's Twickenham showpiece - the second-biggest winning margin for an English final.

Oxford United's Kassam Stadium will stage the tie, while Northampton's Franklin's Gardens stages the other semi-final between European champions Leicester and current Zurich Premiership leaders Gloucester 24 hours earlier.

Irish's memorable Twickenham triumph saw them lift their first major trophy in 104 years, and they are determined to give themselves a fighting chance of securing more silverware.

"We've had some great battles with Northampton in the past - the two sides bring the best out of each other," said Irish rugby director Conor O'Shea.

"Northampton beat us at home by a couple of points earlier this season, but then we had a very good win up there.

"In these sort of games, you're on a hiding to nothing," he added.