Wasps back in play-off race
Wasps ran in five tries to secure a bonus point in their 32-21 win over Gloucester on Sunday that lifted them into a play-off berth.
Wasps are now fourth in an incredibly tight race for the final three play-off positions behind runaway English Premiership leaders and champions Northampton.
Five teams are separated by a single point with Saints 12 points clear of the pack.
Two tries from Thomas Young and one each from Rob Miller, Elliot Daly and Guy Thompson gave Wasps the victory after trailing 10-0 early on following Ross Moriarty's converted try and a James Hook penalty.
Henry Purdy also crossed for the Cherry and Whites while Hook knocked over two more penalties.
But despite the bonus victory, Wasps' Director of Rugby Dai Young was unhappy with a "sloppy" performance.
"Something we have talked about is to keep our home record in the Premiership intact, which is hugely important for us," he said.
"But I have to be honest, it was a pretty scrappy performance from us. We were very ordinary in parts but to come away with a win, let alone a bonus-point win, I am really pleased.
"Yet we have to be honest with ourselves and, while we showed glimpses of some good stuff, we were sloppy and put a lot of pressure on ourselves as well. We know we have to be better than that."
Young said he is more interested in securing a top six finish that would mean a return to the European Champions Cup next season rather than worrying about reaching the title play-offs.
"People keep talking to me about being in the top four. Forget about that. It is so tight that top six is a mountain to climb," said Young.
"Last week, we had a draw in Newcastle and went from fourth to seventh. My concern is to do everything to get into that top six and that is still not a gimmie."
Gloucester Director of Rugby David Humphreys said it was a day of missed chances and failed defence for his side.
"We lacked composure and when opportunities come, Wasps are probably one of the best in the league at finishing off small chances.
"We just have not got that killer edge yet and that is something we want to work on."
The scorers:
For Wasps:
Tries: Young 2, Miller, Daly, Thompson
Cons: Goode 2
Pen: Goode
For Gloucester:
Tries: Moriarty, Purdy
Con: Hook
Pens: Hook 3
Yellow card: James Downey (Wasps, 50)
Teams:
Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 James Downey, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Ashley Johnson, 5 James Gaskell, 4 James Cannon, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Matt Mullan (captain).
Replacements: 16 Edd Shervington, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Guy Thompson, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Sailosi Tagicakibau.
Gloucester: 15 Charlie Sharples, 14 Jonny May, 13 Mark Atkinson, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 James Hook, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Tom Savage (captain), 3 John Afoa, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 1 Dan Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 James Hudson, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Gareth Evans.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Paul Dix, Roger Baileff
TMO: Trevor Fisher
