Irish took the lead inside 30 seconds through Peter Hewat’s 45m drop-goal before Tigers truck back after 17 minutes through a Julien Dupuy penalty.
Dupuy was off target with a second penalty attempt moments later while Delon Armitage missed two long range efforts and Hewat struck a post with another.
Tigers finished the half with 14 men. No8 Jordan Crane was given a yellow card infor offside as Tigers were forced todefend a series of scrums on their 5m line.
Tigers made one change to the team that booked its place in the final with Julian White replacing Martin Castrogiovanni in the front row. Dan Cole was named among the replacements and there was a place on the bench for Louis Deacon on his return from injury.
Irish were forced into a late change to their side when lock Nick Kennedy failed a fitness test on the morning of the game.
His place went to James Hudson and Gary Johnson was called onto the replacements bench.
