Tigers win won’t keep Wasps down, says Gatland

Wasps 31 Leicester 37

Wasps came off second-best in the so-called Battle of Britain, but not before they staged a spectacular fightback at the Causeway Stadium. They were blown away during the opening quarter, conceding three tries, but full-back Mark Van Gisbergen's 26-point haul put them back in contention.

In the end though, Leicester left town with victory, courtesy of fly-half Andy Goode's late penalty and drop goal.

Wasps are still top of Pool One, but two of their last three Group games are away from home, starting with next Sunday's Welford Road return.

"If we lose next week, then we are struggling," said Wasps rugby director Gatland. "But we don't want to give this trophy away. We worked so hard to win it last season, we will go down fighting."

Gatland conceded that Wasps will need to hugely improve their scrummaging effort after being demolished in that set-piece battle by Leicester's England props Graham Rowntree and man-of-the-match Julian White.

"We have got to get our scrum right next week, it is the biggest cause for concern, and we will have a big week working on that," Gatland added.

"Obviously, we are disappointed, but there are no complaints about the result. If you concede three tries early on, then you probably don't deserve to win.

"These are two very evenly matched teams, and we finished the game pretty strongly. If we can get a result next week, then the group could all come down to the last weekend of games in January."

Wasps hooker Phil Greening looks likely to miss the trip to Leicester after suffering a knee injury, while scrum-half Matt Dawson suffered calf muscle tightness during the game and will be assessed by Wasps' medical staff.

Leicester coach John Wells conceded that Tigers could have lost as Wasps laid siege to their line during the closing stages.

"Wasps are not European champions for nothing, and they came back tremendously well," he said. "This is a really tough group, and that was a quality Wasps team out there. Wasps will not give up, and they will fancy the challenge of getting a result away from home."

Wells saluted the outstanding work of Rowntree and White, who proved beyond doubt the old rugby adage that all games are won and lost up front.

"I have got to take my hat off to the two of them," said Wells. "They were absolutely tremendous, the backbone of our performance today.

"And to score three tries against the European champions at home was also something I am pleased about. They were all quality tries, all of them down to a real team effort."

Leicester struck with their opening score, from England flanker Lewis Moody, after just 73 seconds, before further touchdowns by full-back Geordan Murphy and number eight Martin Corry helped the visitors establish a 22-6 advantage.

Wasps though, scored their solitary try by wing Josh Lewsey while his England team-mate, Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis, was in the sin-bin, before Van Gisbergen took over.

The Wasps full-back kicked eight penalties, just one short of equalling the Heineken Cup record in one game, and he also converted Lewsey's try.

But Leicester were not to be denied and Goode's accuracy ensured the victory they deserved.

WASPS: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Erinle, Abbott, Voyce, King, Dawson, Dowd, Greening, Green, Shaw, Birkett, Worsley, O'Connor, Dallaglio.

Replacements: Gotting for Greening (59), Mackenzie for Green (65).

LEICESTER: Murphy, Lloyd, Smith, Gibson, Healey, Goode, Ellis, Rowntree, Chuter, White, M Johnson, L Deacon, Moody, Back, Corry.

Replacements: A Tuilagi for Lloyd (67).

Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales).