Quins open up Madejski row

Harlequins were today drawn to play London Irish in the semi-finals of the Powergen Cup and then said they would refuse to play at the Irish's Madejski Stadium in Reading.

The Rugby Union had said before the draw that their preferred option for back-to-back semi-finals was the Madejski Stadium.

Quins emerged as the home team in the draw and team manager Mike Scott said: "The one thing we will not have is being drawn as the home side and playing the game on the London Irish ground."

The other tie is between Northampton and Newcastle.

Watford's Vicarage Road could now be used to stage the matches. But if no alternative for the semi-finals on 9-10 March can be agreed then the 'home' clubs, Northampton and Harlequins, will use their own grounds.