Ashley Johnson: Victory over Leinster can define new era at Wasps

Ashley Johnson believes the current Wasps side are ready to move out of the shadow of Lawrence Dallaglio — starting against Leinster at ‘fortress’ Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

Wasps won the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007 with players such as Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey and Simon Shaw to the fore.

But they have struggled since, almost being relegated in 2012 and nearly going out of business until Irish businessman Derek Richardson rescued them from oblivion.

They are now on safer ground, having moved to Coventry, where they have warned Leinster they are in for the battle of their lives in Saturday’s decisive clash in Pool Two clash.

And South African back row Johnson says the squad have targeted this game to show the world they are not afraid of reputations, having moved past those of Dallaglio and the team of a decade ago.

“People have always talked about those great teams and the Dallaglio era, but this is our era and our time,” said Johnson. “Now, moving to Coventry and having 28,000 there for our first game gives us motivation, it gives us an extra 20% to do better.

“We see the Ricoh Arena as being our fortress. We won’t let it slip easily. We won’t go down without a fight.”

And Johnson says Wasps have taken huge confidence from their narrow defeat in Dublin back in Round One. The visitors led 20-9 at the interval but failed to score a point in the second half as the three-time European champions stormed back to win.

But after shocking Harlequins at the Stoop last time out, Johnson believes his side can take on anyone.

Johnson added: “We gave ourselves an opportunity in that first game. We were really disappointed not getting the win but we take heart from that game.

“It would be massive if we could knock Leinster out. They have been a powerhouse in Europe over the last few years. But we have grown as a club, as a team. If we won it would do so much for our confidence, knowing we can knock teams like that out.”

Huget warned for feigning injury

Toulouse wing Yoann Huget has received a formal warning for feigning injury during his team’s European Champions Cup defeat against Bath on Sunday.

European Professional Club Rugby said the warning was issued by match citing commissioner John Charles.

In a statement, EPCR said it followed “an act contrary to good sportsmanship in the 43rd minute in that he (Huget) deliberately feigned an injury in contravention of Law 10.4(m).”

France international Huget was seen to perform a blatant dive in an attempt to gain a penalty for foul play during the Pool Four clash, which Bath won 35-18 at Stade Ernest Wallon.

Players who accumulate three citing warnings or three yellow card offences for foul play – or a combination of both – during the Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions will be required to attend a disciplinary hearing. EPCR also said that Harlequins wing Tom Williams has received a citing commissioner warning for a dangerous tackle on Wasps centre Alapati Leiua.