Wasps win but Clermont have sting in the tail

LAWRENCE Dallaglio’s body, all 18 stone of it, was tense and coiled, like a baited bear on the brink of rebellion but, in the end, all he could do was thrust his head into his hands, with the frustration almost steaming from his ears.

When he finally looked up again from his seat at the post-match press conference, the tough questions still lingered over him and, in fairness to the big man, he met every one of them with the straightest of bats.

“I’m frustrated but you mustn’t forget that we won the game. Given the rugby we played in the first half, I’m disappointed we didn’t finish them off and put them out of the competition. We’ve given Clermont a lifeline and now three teams will be going for qualification, as opposed to two.