EUROPEAN HOPES DENTED: Harlequins 3 - 23 Wasps

Harlequins’ hopes of progress to the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup were severely dented, if not destroyed, by a major defeat by Wasps in the fifth pool match of the competition by 3 – 23.

Harlequins play high risk attacking rugby, but when the occasional error occurs the resulting punishment is severe. So it was in this match as a pass from Care to Lowe went adrift and fell into the hands of Christian Wade who continued for another sixty metres to the try line unchallenged. Quins were already a penalty down and the try left them ten points adrift. They had several opportunities for points from penalties but for the remainder of the half they chose to kick to the corner or to scrummage, to no avail.. The pack appeared to have the edge over the Wasps forwards but though Quins battered at the doors, the Wasps defence remained obdurate, committed and solid.

When Simpson picked up a loose ball that squirted from a ruck, dummied the defending prop forward and ran unopposed to the try line, the game was effectively up and only the first quarter had been played. Self destruction appeared to be the order of the day as Quins continued to move the ball about with admirable skill and sleight of hand, but no points. Not even when reduced to fourteen at the wave of a yellow card did Wasps’ defence falter. How Quins failed to score a couple of tries will remain a mystery.

Early in the second half Harlequins opted to take the points on offer from a penalty but it was soon cancelled out by two penalties to extend Wasps’ lead still further. Harlequins continued to attack deep in the visitors’ twenty-two but the defence held firm as did that of Quins when Wasps mounted an occasional attack.

Only a five point win over Castres next week may save Harlequins European hopes, provided Leinster can beat Waasps.