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Wasps could move a step closer to Champions Cup qualification on Saturday when they face Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop in Pool 1
Wasps could move a step closer to Champions Cup qualification on Saturday when they face Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop in Pool 1, live on Sky Sports. Wasps have won two of the three previous meetings between the clubs in the Champions Cup, including their only visit to The Stoop in 2014/15.
· Harlequins have lost all four of their pool games this season, their worst run in the competition since 2009/10 when they failed to win a match.
· Wasps have won on each of their last two trips to face Aviva Premiership opposition with both victories coming by 20+ points.
· Harlequins have scored just 66 points so far, fewer than any other side in the competition.
· Wasps have averaged just 13 minutes and 59 seconds in possession to date, the lowest average in the competition.
Harlequins rallied from 28-12 down to steal a sensational 33-28 triumph over Wasps in a ferocious encounter at the Twickenham Stoop
Harlequins rallied from 28-12 down to steal a sensational 33-28 triumph over Wasps in a ferocious encounter at the Twickenham Stoop, a classic showdown which underpinned the age-old rivalry between the clubs.
- Wasps travelled to London seeking a bonus-point victory to move within two points of Pool 1 leaders Ulster Rugby, who they face at the Ricoh Arena next weekend, yet the Coventry-based side failed to close out the match and were stung in the tail.
- England centre Kyle Eastmond, No 8 Nizaam Carr and prop Ashley Johnson all crossed the whitewash in the opening half hour as Wasps amassed an impressive 21-0 lead, courtesy of Danny Cirpriani conversions.
- However, despite the flying start from Wasps, Harlequins refused to relent as replacement winger Ross Chisholm scored their first try, before fly-half James Lang converted his own try under the posts to bring the scores to 21-12 in favour of the visitors at the interval.
- When Wasps centre Brendan Macken evaded the defensive efforts of Jamie Roberts to add a bonus-point try and extend the advantage to 16 points, Dai Young would have expected his side to see the tie off.
- Yet Young's opposite number John Kingston had different ideas as he introduced maverick fly-half Marcus Smith, fresh from signing his first professional contract at just 18-years-old, who would go on play a pivotal role in a spellbinding comeback.
- England scrum-half Danny Care sniped over on 65 minutes before Smith's sweeping pass out wide allowed barnstorming hooker Elia Elia to force his way over five minutes later.
- James Haskell was then shown a straight red card as Wasps struggled to absorb the Harlequins pressure and the hosts turned it around in dying embers of the match as James Chisholm dotted down and Smith's conversion completed a remarkable result.
- Wasps do still hold a chance in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup, but will be reliant on results elsewhere, while Harlequins will take a significant boost from their first win of the competition.
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