London Irish and 2006 champions Munster reached the Heineken Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

Munster clinically dispatched English Premiership leaders Gloucester 16-3 at Kingsholm for their first victory at the home of the west country club. London Irish progressed with a 20-9 win over Perpignan at the Madejski Stadium.

Tries from wings Ian Dowling and Doug Howlett along with two Ronan O'Gara penalties sealed victory for Munster who were competing in a record 10th quarter-final in the competition.

Dowling's touch down before the break compounded a miserable half for the home side with Chris Paterson - the Scotland kicker who maintained a 100 per cent record at last year's World Cup - missing all three penalty attempts.

New Zealand wing Howlett's first Heineken Cup try ensured Munster's semi-final place against Saracens or the Ospreys, who play on Sunday.

"Our defence was one of the standout features of our performance," Munster coach Declan Kidney told reporters.

"We knew we had to do it in defence and that's why we picked the team the way we did. There's a huge credit in keeping Gloucester to three points on their own patch."

London Irish reached the semi-finals for the first time.

Former England centre Mike Catt found flanker Declan Danaher on the left wing with a clever cross kick in the 31st minute and the Exiles forward completed the simple task of falling over the line for the only try of the game.

Perpignan nearly hit back immediately but winger Christophe Manas was denied a try by the video referee after a fine tackle from scrumhalf Paul Hodgson just pulled him into touch.

"That tackle (Hodgson's) was crucially important, possibly a turning point," London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith told reporters. "We just take one step at a time. It was an outstanding, very controlled performance today."

Second half ill-discipline from the French, including a last minute red card for flanker Villami Vaki for punching, allowed Australian Peter Hewat to add three further penalties to his brace in the first half to ease the home side 11 points clear.

"We deserve to be in a Heineken cup semi-final and we will see in three weeks if we deserve to be in a final," added Smith.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP