London Irish's hopes of securing some silverware this season came to an end as French side Castres outclassed them, running in four tries as well as producing some excellent kicking.
Castres will now play either Pau or Bristol, who meet in the second semi-final today, in the final on May 27th at a venue still to be decided.
Castres took an early lead through a try from right wing Gerrard Fabre which started from a tap penalty 10 metres out with the forwards driving the ball to the line. Centre Olivier Sarramea added the touchline conversion and penalties for both sides saw the teams go in at the break with the French leading 13-12.
Christophe Sottil, Alexandre Albouy and Fabre had second half tries for Castres while Nick Harvey and Rob Gallacher crossed for London Irish with Jarrod Cunningham adding a conversion and two penalties.
CASTRES: Fauque, Fabre, Sarramea, Larkin, Plisson, Mola, Albouy, Dima, Astruc, Benazet, Sottil, Chinaro, Cloup, Galtier, Taussac. Replacements: Artiguste, Aue, Garrigues, Hallinger, Davidson, R. Vigneaux, Tsabadze.
LONDON IRISH: Cunningham, Bishop, Whetstone, Todd, Campbell, Bachop, Putt, Worsley, Kirke, Fullman, Cockbain, Harvey, Gallacher, Mower, Hunter. Replacements: S. Hatley, Rivaro, Tonu'u, Flavin, N. Hatley, Halford, Fea'unati.
Referee: Antonio Lombardi (Italy).
