 However, in the Parker Pen Shield, London Irish made it to the semi-final, only to lose to Welsh side Pontypridd RFC 33–27.Despite London Irish making the final in the major two competitions, they did make and win the final of the 2001–02 Powergen Cup, defeating the Saints 38–7.The 2002–03 season proved more difficult than their debut season, failing to advance to knock-out rugby in any of the two major competitions, finishing ninth in the Premiership, and second in pool 5 of the 2002–03 Heineken Cup.