Irish set for final

London Irish tackle Pontypridd in tonight's first European Shield semi-final at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford. Irish are buoyant following their stunning English Cup final triumph at Twickenham last Saturday.And although Pontypridd are one of Welsh rugby's form clubs, they are going to have their work cut out stopping Brendan Venter's brigade.

"It was a marvellous day at Twickenham, but now we are focused on Pontypridd," said Irish's Welsh international lock Steve Williams. "We are a performance-driven side and that is how the results tend to come. We have prepared in exactly the same way as we did for Northampton."

Despite most pundits predicting a comfortable Irish success, Williams is well aware that Pontypridd's collection of unsung figures could cause an upset.

"I might not know all the current players, but I do know everything about the Pontypridd attitude, their pride in the jersey and playing for the club," he added. "Not all clubs are lucky enough to have that element in their teams."

Venter has made three changes from his Cup final line-up, all in the front row. Injured prop Mike Worsley is replaced by Neal Hatley, while Richard Kirke takes over from hooker Naka Drotske and tighthead Simon Halford gains a start instead of Rob Hardwick. Drotske and Hardwick are on the bench.

In tomorrow's second semi-final, Gloucester take on Sale at Northampton. Gloucester boss Nigel Melville has made switches in his midfield. Robert Todd, available again after a serving one-match ban following his dismissal for fighting against Wasps earlier this month, returns at centre, so James Simpson-Daniel switches to wing instead of Tom Beim. Gloucester expect a powerful challenge from fellow Premiership high-flyers Sale, not least Jason Robinson, who could prove to be the match-winner.