Leinster young guns stung by Wasps

Leinster 6 London Wasps 41, Donnybrook

Luke Fitzgerald got a rousing reception at Donnybrook in his first game since last November's international against Australia, but he could not prevent an experimental Leinster side from slipping to a heavy pre-season defeat to London Wasps.

Ireland internationals Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Jamie Heaslip and Cian Healy were among those who watched on from the stands, with the fit-again Fitzgerald, recovered from a long term knee injury, starting at full-back in new coach Joe Schmidt's first game in charge of Leinster.

But Wasps were in no mood for a light run-out and they burst out of the blocks, following up on their strong performance in reach the semi-finals of the Middlesex Sevens last weekend.

The visitors began in lightning fashion and claimed the opening try of the night inside two minutes. Tom Varndell finished in the corner, after a Leinster move had broken down a few metres inside Wasps half.

Strong tackling forced a fumble and Ben Jacobs cut through to feed Varndell who had the pace to finish off. Dave Walder missed the conversion and Leinster managed to gain some momentum, despite losing centre Eamonn Sheridan through an early injury.

Out-half Ian Madigan narrowed the gap with a penalty after 28 minutes, and the former Ireland Under-20 international added a second to give Leinster a 6-5 lead with half-time in sight.

Nonetheless, his opposite number Walder gave Wasps an 8-6 advantage for the break with a penalty of his own.

The second half saw Leinster fail to muster a score as Wasps took control of the scoreboard. Centre Jacobs crashed through for the second try of the night in the 44th minute, which Walder converted.

Ten minutes later, right winger Richard Haughton ended a 30-metre burst by scoring under the posts, and influential replacement Joe Simpson tagged on the conversion for a 22-6 buffer.

Simpson turned provider as he put boot to ball to set up a try for fellow replacement Mark Van Gisbergen. Leinster's young guns looked poised to respond, but their spirited efforts failed to reap dividends.

Replacement Fergus McFadden, who missed Ireland's summer tour with a fractured jaw, had Leinster's best chance of a try in the 68th minute. He kicked the ball free from a ruck but could not gather the bouncing ball with Wasps caught out of position.

It only took two minutes of pressure for Wasps to claim their fifth try of the night, with Haughton completing his brace. They lost the services of former Lion Simon Shaw for a late tackle, but responded by registering their sixth and final try courtesy of another replacement, Christian Wade.

Scorers: Leinster: Pens: Ian Madigan 2

London Wasps: Tries: Tom Varndell, Ben Jacobs, Richard Haughton 2, Mark Van Gisbergen, Christian Wade; Pen: Dave Walder; Cons: Dave Walder, Joe Simpson 3

LEINSTER: Luke Fitzgerald, David Kearney, Eoin O'Malley, Eamonn Sheridan, Isa Nacewa, Ian Madigan, Paul O'Donohue; Heinke Van Der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Eoin Sheriff, Paul Ryan, Sean O'Brien.

Replacements: Jason Harris Wright, Jack McGrath, Stan Wright, Mariano Galarza, Dominic Ryan, Isacc Boss, Ian McKinley, Fergus McFadden, Ben Marshall, Michael Keating, Niall Morris.

LONDON WASPS: Jack Wallace; Richard Haughton, Ben Jacobs, Dom Waldouck, Tom Varndell, Dave Walder, Nic Berry; Zak Taulafo, Tom Lindsay, Phil Vickery, Marty Veale, Richard Birkett, Will Matthews, Serge Betson, John Hart.

Replacements: Rob Webber, Tim Payne, Ben Broster, James Cannon, Tom Rees, Joe Simpson, Riki Flutey, Christian Wade, Simon Shaw, Sam Jones, Elliot Daly, Mark Van Gisbergen.

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)