Cipriani bounces back in style as Wasps hold out

DANNY CIPRIANI put his England misery behind him as Wasps survived a sterling Edinburgh fightback in another Heineken Cup thriller at Murrayfield.

Fly-half Cipriani arrived in the Scottish capital in arguably the worst form of his fledgling career, having been dropped by his country after error-strewn displays in the opening two November Tests.

But he kicked 20 points in last night’s Pool Two clash in a near-flawless display with the boot to keep his side’s quarter-final hopes alive.

Tom Rees scored a late try for the two-time European champions, who led 12-0 before falling 16-15 behind thanks to the boot of Chris Paterson and a touchdown from Mark Robertson.

Both sides had won one and lost one of their opening two pool matches, while Wasps had won only two of their Guinness Premiership matches this season.

Cipriani put Wasps 18-16 ahead 11 minutes from time with a penalty that had Robinson spitting venom at referee Christophe Berdos, who sent flanker Ross Rennie to the sinbin.

Five minutes later, Godman’s 45-yard penalty fell just short.

Wasps finally wrapped up victory three minutes from time when Rees bundled over - with the hint of a double movement.

Edinburgh scorers: M Robertson try; C Paterson con, 3 pens.

Wasps scorers: T Rees try; D Cipriani con, 6 pens.

EDINBURGH: C Paterson; M Robertson, B Cairns, N De Luca, S Webster; P Godman, M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Cross; C Hamilton, J Hamilton; A MacDonald, R Rennie, A Hogg.

Replacements: A Kelly for Ford (19), G Kerr for Cross (75), M Mustchin for C Hamilton (59).

WASPS: M van Gisbergen; P Sackey, D Waldouck, R Flutey, J Lewsey; D Cipriani, E Reddan; T Payne, R Webber, P Vickery; G Skivington, R Birkett; S Betsen, T Rees, J Haskell.

Replacements: S Shaw for Skivington (54), J Hart for Rees (80).

Referee: C Berdos (France).