Rugby fans who feared they would not be able to get a ticket for this weekend's showpiece Parker Pen European Shield semi-final can rest easy.

Despite talk of a sell-out, there are still around 5,000 tickets left for tomorrow's clash between London Irish and Pontypridd at The Kassam Stadium (5.30pm).

Posts in front of the the Oxford Mail Stand "We are looking at a crowd of just over 7,000 at the moment," said Oxford United ticket office supervisor Dawn Wyllie.

"We've had returns from the clubs and also a lot from Ticketmaster. We were only allowed to start selling them ourselves at the end of last week, and we've done about 500."

Those interested in watching the first big rugby union game to be staged at The Kassam, should ring the club's ticketline on 01865 337533, or turn up and pay on the gate.

There are £15 tickets available for the Oxford Mail Stand, and £20 and £25 tickets for sale in the North and South Stands.

London Irish will be bringing just under 2,000 supporters, while between 2,500 and 3,000 fans are expected to travel up from Wales.

The winners of tomorrow's game will face either Sale or Gloucester in the final - also at The Kassam Stadium - on Sunday, May 26.