Brian Smith's side moved into the semi-finals' of Europe's premier club competition with a 20-9 victory at the Madejski Stadium.

With captain Bob Casey, an Ireland international, and England hopeful Nick Kennedy in their second-row, Irish are recognised as one of the strongest partnerships in the Premiership.

Hines, who enjoyed a fine RBS 6 Nations for Scotland, bowed out of the tournament along with scrum-half Chris Cusiter.

"We were intimidated by their reputation at the line-out. We just didn't react," said the man from Wagga Wagga.

"They kept us pegged back in our own half and waited until we dropped the ball, which we did a lot.

"I don't think we lacked ambition, we just weren't given an opportunity to implement our tactics.

"When we did get hold of the ball we were worried about losing it because we were making so many errors."