Beware Wasps' sting, warns Dallaglio

Lawrence Dallaglio and his Wasps forwards can expect a heavy workload this week in an attempt to shunt the European champions’ Heineken Cup challenge back on track.

Former England captain Dallaglio’s hopes of lifting the trophy for a second successive season effectively hinge on Wasps beating arch rivals Leicester at Welford Road next Sunday.

If the Tigers follow up yesterday’s scintillating 37-31 away win against Wasps by completing a quickfire double then they will be in pole position to win pool one and send Dallaglio’s men packing.

Wasps boss Warren Gatland has already identified the scrum as a major area for improvement, given that Tigers’ England props Graham Rowntree and Julian White had a field day in that critical area and built Leicester’s victory platform.

“The scrum is the biggest area of concern,” said Gatland. “To have a chance of winning next week, we have got to get that right.

“We lost at home this time last year in the Heineken Cup to the Celtic Warriors, but Leicester are obviously a different proposition.

“If we lose next week then we are struggling. Leicester have Calvisano on the last weekend of pool games, so you would have to re-assess your goals for the rest of the season.

“But we don’t want to give this trophy away. We have worked so hard in the last couple of years to win it – and we will go down fighting,” he added.

Leicester coach John Wells saluted Rowntree and White, claiming: “You have got to take your hat off to them. They were absolutely tremendous and gave us the backbone of the performance.

“It is an important win for us. But Celtic Warriors went to Wasps in the Heineken Cup and won last season, then went back to their home patch and lost.

“It is round two next Sunday. Wasps will not give up, and they will fancy the challenge of going away from home to get a result in exactly the same way we relished the challenge of going to Wasps.”

Wasps, inspired by full-back Mark Van Gisbergen’s goalkicking, wiped out a 22-6 deficit inside the opening quarter to draw level midway through the second half.

But Leicester, cup winners in 2000 and 2002, displayed all their rich European pedigree as they secured a priceless away win.

Fly-half Andy Goode was the Tigers hero, kicking 22 points, including a late penalty and drop-goal to clinch victory.

Leicester blew Wasps away early on through tries from flanker Lewis Moody, full-back Geordan Murphy and number eight Martin Corry.

But Wasps clawed them back magnificently, Van Gisbergen booting 26 points - eight penalties and a conversion from 10 kicks at goal – while England wing Josh Lewsey scored a try.

Leicester displayed nerves of steel when it really mattered, and their prolonged celebrations at the final whistle told their own story.