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Wasps thrash Leinster 33-6 on their travels to get their European Champions Cup campaign off to the ideal start
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Christian Wade’s try along with kicks from Ruaridh Jackson and Elliot Daly gave Wasps a 16-6 lead at half-time
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Scores from Joe Simpson and Charles Piutau in the second half completed the thumping win for visitors
Wasps cruised to an unexpectedly comfortable victory as they inflicted the largest margin of defeat Leinster has ever suffered at home in the Champions Cup.
The visitors outscored the hosts three tries to nil with their exciting backs and solid defence proving too much for the Irish province to handle. However, things get no easier for the Coventry-based side as they face the reigning champions Toulon at the Ricoh next weekend.
The defeat represents the Irish provinces largest home loss in European competition, which leaves the three-time European champions in an awkward position in the pool with Bath coming up next.
Leinster’s Johnny Sexton and Wasps Ruaridh Jackson exchanged two penalties each in the opening 20 minutes, leaving the game evenly poised after the opening quarter, 6-6.
The visitors Elliot Daly then stepped up to strike a touchline penalty goal between the posts despite the swirling conditions after 26 minutes to give Wasps a three-point lead.
Wasps then opened the try-scoring through speedster Christian Wade just after the half hour. A well-struck box-kick from Joe Simpson bounced perfectly for the winger and he finished well before Jackson converted to put the away side 10 points in front at the break, 6-16.
A mesmerising break by Charles Piutau a minute after the restart set the tone for Wasps in the second half with the away side playing some exciting attacking rugby while their defence remained compact and tight.
They were rewarded for their energetic style of play with a second try when Simpson crossed the whitewash after 48 minutes. Ben Jacobs initiated the move, then passed to Frank Halai, who ‘tanked’ through before getting the offload to the scrum-half to finish with an incredible burst of pace. Jackson then added the conversion to edge Wasps further in front, 6-23.
Jackson then added another three points for Wasps before Charles Piutau crossed for the visitors third try a minute from full time. The All Black was awarded the try after a trip to the TMO decided that there was no knock in the build-up to the score. Alex Lozowski then converted to complete the game’s scoring.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Wasps: Charles Piutau
The big performance from Wasps was phenomenal, but it was their fullback Charles Piutau’s incredible individual skill that particularly glowed. The All Black capped his display with a try a minute from time but with a star like him this Wasps side are certainly going places.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa (c), 14 Zane Kirchner, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Jordi Murphy, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tadhg Furlong 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Garry Ringrose
Wasps: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Ben Jacobs, 11 Frank Halai, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 George Smith, 6 Sam Jones, 5 Bradley Davies, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Matt Mullan (c).
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Guy Thompson, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Sailosi Tagicakibau
Date: Sunday, November 15
Venue: RDS Arena
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Cyril Lafon (France), Thomas Déjean (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)