Wasps destroy London Welsh to mark end of era in clinical style
WASPS boss Dai Young stressed his relief after his players showcased a clinical streak and ran in 11 tries during a 71-7 mauling of beleaguered London Welsh in the Coventry-bound club’s final Premiership game at Adams Park.
Wing Christian Wade and Ashley Johnson both scored hat-tricks as Wasps moved to fifth in the league table, while a seventh successive top-flight loss keeps the Exiles rooted to the foot of the standings.
Fijian Nathan Hughes crossed the line twice as Sailosi Tagicakibau, Joe Simpson and Tom Varndell also touched down for the rampant hosts, with Ben Pienaar scoring the visitors’ sole consolation.“I was nervous going into the match, stressing that we weren’t to play too loosely,” said Young. “We responded as I wanted, playing with an excellent attitude to prove we have a killer instinct.
“We showed we have great quality in our squad and if we play play like that we can trouble anyone.”
Wasps were boosted by the return of England flanker James Haskell from a virus, with London Welsh assistant coach Ollie Smith admitting his side failed to cope with a back-row which also included try-scorers Hughes and Johnson.
“They were very big, physical and dynamic,” he said. “We lost most of the collisions and with a back row like that, none of whom are currently playing international rugby, it was tremendously difficult.
“We conceded soft tries but there is no lack of effort in our squad.”