Ospreys scrape through

Holders Ospreys flirted with elimination before booking their place in this season's EDF Energy Cup semi-finals despite losing 23-19 at London Irish.

The star-studded Welsh region were made to scrap every inch of the way for their losing bonus point by a fired-up Irish side that led 20-6 just after half-time.

There appeared no way back for the Ospreys after centre Sailala Mapusua and wing Sailosi Tagicakibau - who will both be on Pacific Islands duty against England at Twickenham next weekend - scored tries. But fly-half James Hook's precision goalkicking - he booted 14 points - and wing Nikki Walker's 54th-minute touchdown kept Ospreys in contention.

Meanwhile, Wasps won their second Cup match 21-10 but went out of the tournament against Newport Dragons at Adams Park.

The Dragons fought bravely right to the end and could have won the match themselves.

For Wasps, it was a case of win and hope that Newcastle could beat leaders Gloucester at Kingston Park if they were to progress into the semi-finals - however, the Cherry and Whites went through after an 11-10 victory.

Worcester missed the chance to progress to the knockout stages by going down 27-14 to Harlequins in their final group game.

Quins were deserved winners as a poor performance by Worcester left them far too much to do in the second half.

The home side never looked like obtaining the four tries that they would have needed to threaten the qualification of Ospreys.

And needing just two points to guarantee their place in the semi-finals, Gloucester left it late at Newcastle as an Apo Satala try four minutes from the end took them through with an 11-10 win.