RUGBY/European Cup semi-finals:Irish players at final four clubs John O'Sullivanlooks at the Irish connection as the European Cup semi-finals loom

The perception that Irish interest in this season's Heineken European Cup ended following the defeats of Leinster and Munster at the quarter-final stage couldn't be more misguided as a glance at the squads of the four remaining teams confirms.

The tournament reaches the penultimate round this weekend with Leicester Tigers taking on Llanelli tomorrow and London Wasps and the Northampton Saints heading for Coventry on Sunday. Potentially 16 Irish players could have been available between the combatants but that number is reduced by injury to Wasps outhalf Jeremy Staunton and the unfortunate and premature retirement of 29-year-old Northampton centre David Quinlan.

Staunton had struggled to get game time in the post Christmas period, losing his preferred role of outhalf to the resurgence in form of Alex King and also the option of playing at fullback because of several quality performances from 19-year-old England underage international Danny Cipriani.

A recent broken thumb effectively ended his season and his career at the club as he joins London Irish during the summer. Quinlan was forced to quit on medical grounds and is now likely to pursue a career in law.

For the majority of the remaining 14 players, this weekend brings with it a real opportunity to be involved in match day squads. In taking the first Cup semi-final, Ireland flanker Simon Easterby stands alone in the Llanelli colours.

He'll captain the Welsh side at the Walker's Stadium in Leicester as they bid to maintain a string of brilliant performances in the competition including the dethroning of the defending champions, Munster, in their last game. He'll face a few familiar faces in the Leicester Tigers team.

Of the Irish players at Welford Road only young Johnny Murphy isn't a viable contender for a place in the match-day squad. The Kildare youngster has impressed in recent matches, notably in last Monday's 'A' Premiership final first leg defeat to Wasps.

One of the most interesting selection dilemmas facing Leicester coach Pat Howard is his choice of outhalf. England international Andy Goode has the experience, a prodigious boot and a good record in the place-kicking stakes in big matches.

Paul Burke is similarly well versed with the glamour occasions while his fellow Irishman Ian Humphreys - he's the younger brother of David - is comfortably the most naturally gifted of the three. Frank Murphy has acquitted himself very well in his first season and has seen off the challenge of Scott Bemand to make himself the second choice number nine behind England international Harry Ellis. Given that the latter was arguably England's player of the Six Nations Championship, it's certainly no shame to be his understudy.

Murphy should be joined on the bench by former St Mary's College and Leinster hooker Gavin Hickie. He is another to have caught the eye and won the approval of the notoriously hard edged backroom staff at Welford Road.

Forwards coach Richard Cockerill knows a thing or two about the position and he has promoted Hickie above underage English international James Buckland in recent matches.

For the remaining three Irishman, their chances of starting the semi-final are strong. Geordan Murphy is expected to return at fullback - he wasn't dropped for the EDF Cup final despite some reports - according to sources at the club while Leo Cullen might just hold off Louis Deacon to partner Ben Kay in the second row.

Shane Jennings has been a model of excellence all season and will start at openside flanker irrespective of Lewis Moody's fitness.

In Sunday's game, Eoin Reddan will start at scrumhalf for Wasps while Peter Bracken will be named at tighthead. The former Connacht and Ireland prop has played the last three matches since England Test player Tim Payne suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Johnny O'Connor's season has been ravaged by injury and the form of the new England tyro Tom Rees and he might not make the match squad. It's a pity because he has been a brilliant servant for a club whom he leaves at the end of the season to return home to Connacht.

Northampton's Irish second row Damien Browne has squeezed back into the reckoning in recent weeks and he should get the starting jersey while there could be a surprise call-up for the Ulster-bound centre Seamus Mallon because of injuries to several backs.

So there: 14 possible reasons for watching the European Cup semi-finals this weekend.

LONDON WASPS

Eoin Reddan (scrumhalf)

Peter Bracken (tighthead prop)

Johnny O'Connor (flanker)

Jeremy Staunton (outhalf)

LEICESTER TIGERS

Geordan Murphy (fullback)

Johnny Murphy (fullback/wing)

Ian Humphreys (outhalf)

Paul Burke (outhalf)

Frank Murphy (scrumhalf)

Gavin Hickie (hooker)

Leo Cullen (second row)

Shane Jennings (flanker)

NORTHAMPTON

Seamus Mallon (centre)

David Quinlan (centre)

Damien Browne (second row)

LLANELLI

Simon Easterby (flanker)