London Irish hopes of extending their English Cup run past the quarter-final stage were dealt a serious blow yesterday when they were pitted against league champions Wasps.

Although Wasps have been struggling to recapture last season's form recent weeks suggest that their quest may be nearing an end. Irish will enjoy home advantage, but it is the visitors who will begin as favourites although the Sunbury side's only league victory to date has been against Wasps. Irish centre Rob Henderson should be fit enough by then to face his former team-mates.

Saracens, conquerers of cup holders Leicester in the last round, face an equally tough task with a game against Richmond, who put out Bath. Northampton and Newcastle is another mouth-watering tie while Sale appeared to have fared best of the first division clubs with an away trip to division two side West Hartlepool.

Quarter-Finals

London Irish v Wasps

West Hartlepool v Sale

Richmond v Saracens

Northampton v Newcastle

Ties to be played on weekend of Feb 28th