Wasps dominate Leinster in opening Champions Cup match

It was only the third defeat in 15 European pool games for the Irish club, who must travel to Bath next Saturday and defending champions Toulon next month in a tough-looking group.

The three-time European Champions were put to the sword by a creative Wasps side inspired by Ulster bound Charles Piatau.

Wasps had big performers across the pitch with Nathan Hughes, George Smith, Frank Halai and Ellilot Daly all deserving of individual praise, but it was the overall team effort that will win the plaudits. They struggled to get over the gainline on multiple occasions and when they did manage to visit the opponent’s dangerzone, the clinical edge was sorely missing.

Wasps must have been braced for a Leinster onslaught in the second half, but Dai Young’s side pressed home their advantage and Joe Simpson raced away to claim Wasps’ second try.

LISTEN: Leo Cullen reviews the Leinster performance.

“It was one of the worst days I have had with Leinster since I have been involved”, said Cullen, the former Ireland lock, whose side must now go and win at Bath next weekend to keep their qualification hopes alive.

An early Ruaridh Jackson penalty handed Wasps the lead before Sexton hit back with two of his own as Leinster camped out in the Wasps’ half. Then disaster struck in the RDS after 30 minutes.

Leinster were not helped by head injuries to three of their key players: Sean O’Brien, Mike McCarthy and Richardt Strauss.

Jackson added the extras to make it 6-23 and leave Leinster with a mountain to climb.

Halai passed inside to Simpson, who evaded the defenders to touch down.

Nothing was going right for Leinster, as Sexton kicked a penalty dead when aiming for the corner, handling errors proliferated and their scrum was gradually forced to give best to Wasps’ front row, ably led by skipper Matt Mullan.

Jackson added another penalty in the 69th minute before Piutau got over for the last score of the game in questionable circumstances. Ashley Johnson twice carried powerfully, before a few slick handling released Sailosi Tagicakibau, who grounded the ball inches short of the line, from where it somehow bounced backwards into the hands of the gleeful Piutau.

Alex Lozowski added the extras to round off the afternoon’s points.