Latest
Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
London Wasps - one of just three elite clubs to have won both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup - start their search for a second Amlin Challenge Cup crown when they clash with Newport Gwent Dragons at Adams Park on Saturday. - 11/10/2012 13:55
London Wasps – one of just three elite clubs to have won both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup – start their search for a second Amlin Challenge Cup crown when they clash with Newport Gwent Dragons at Adams Park on Saturday.
With only the five Pool winners qualifying for the knock-out stages Wasps know they must get off to a flier with a home win and go into the Anglo-Welsh tie on the back of a 10-6 win against Worcester Warriors that took them to eighth in the Premiership.
“The Dragons are a good strong side and they are going well this season so it’s not an easy first clash for us but in this tournament there aren’t many second chances – you’ve got to win your home games and go away and do well to give yourself any chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages and that’s our target this weekend,” said Wasps captain Hugo Southwell.
The Dragons will be without the injured Dan Lydiate but have Wales No 8 Toby Faletau back in prime form as they go in search of priceless away points.
London Wasps - one of just three elite clubs to have won both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup - are on the way back from being down in the doldrums and this commanding 38-25 win at Adams Park will be a major boost to their confidence. - 13/10/2012 22:10
London Wasps – one of just three elite clubs to have won both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup – are on the way back from being down in the doldrums and this commanding 38-25 win at Adams Park will be a major boost to their confidence.
The Newport Gwent Dragons got off to a flier when qualified pilot Andrew Hughes scorched over for a second-minute try but Wasps hit back through Jack Wallace in a lively opening.
Prop Fabio Staibano quickly got a second for the 2003 tournament champions before powerhouse No8 Billy Vunipola muscled his way over for their third.
Flanker Owen Evans gave the Dragons a lift with their second try before the break but, with former Wales outside-half Nicky Robinson on song with the boot, Wasps kept a healthy advantage.
Scrum-half Joe Simpson got the try that clinched the bonus point for Wasps with 20 minutes remaining. It also provided them with a 20-point lead and saw them match Bayonne’s five-point haul at the top of the group.
But the Dragons kept plugging away and teenager Jack Dixon got their second try to bring greater respectability to the final scoreline.
LIVE - TEST - Commentary