HOW THEY RATED

ROB MILLER: Managed the backfield well. Struggled to make an impact as an attacking weapon, but provided an extra playmaking option and distributed well. Made way for Minozzi on the hour mark. 6

ZACH KIBIRIGE: Most dangerous he’s looked all for a while. Particularly in the second half, a few key involvements. His 70 metres made was 22 more than any other player on the pitch. Bounced off a few tacklers but was brought down agonisingly short of the line which led to the home side having a man sent to the bin. 7 MALAKAI FEKITOA: Good display. More of him with ball in hand than in recent weeks, just when his side needed him to step up. Up against two fellow powerful centres, used his footwork frequently as opposed to his usual direct carrying. Key strip on his own line to win back possession with his side under cosh. 7 MICHAEL LE BOURGEOIS: Impressive. Distributed effectively to bring Vailanu into the game early and deployed an effective low tackle technique to nullify the centres. Carried bravely into contact in some congested areas. Perhaps could’ve angled his run better to try and prevent Newcastle’s second try. 7 JOSH BASSETT: Went under radar for large parts, but played his part. In defence typically reliable, one tackle allowing Launchbury to get over the ball to win a turnover penalty. Made a dart for the line on the half-hour mark, but was held up. Was composed when he appeared to have his eyes touched. 6

JIMMY GOPPERTH: Experience was key. Exciting break brought about a penalty to level the scores at 3-3. Uncharacteristically inconsistent with ball in hand, an attempted cross-kick was plucked from the air by Penny allowing him to race away and send Wacokecoke over. But he kicked 10 crucial points. 7 SAM WOLSTENHOLME: Seems to establish himself as clear understudy to Dan Robson. Tried to inject some tempo with quick penalty early on, likewise with a free-kick at the scrum. One slight lapse a few metres out, couldn’t find a runner, with multiple options to his left. Impressive game control with kicking game. 8 BEN HARRIS: Steady game for the Yorkshireman. The early scrum issues didn’t appear to be on his side but Wasps did appear improved when Tom West arrived from the bench with 35 minutes to go. 6

TOMMY TAYLOR: Nuts and bolts of hooker play were tight and he weighed in with seven tackles before being replaced by Oghre shortly after half-time. The disjointed nature of first half gave him few chances with ball in hand. 6 JEFF TOOMAGA-ALLEN: Recovered well from conceding an early scrum penalty, and he made a few key carries. Showed off his hands to put Bassett free down the left, although then conceded a free-kick against a 13-man scrum in prime attacking position. Contributed, but scrummaging remains an issue. 6.5 JOE LAUNCHBURY: Back to his influential best after six weeks off, and his 80 minutes bodes well. Launchbury was industrious all over the pitch with 10 carries and 11 tackles. He can lift the team in a way few players can and he looked to have held up Falcons’ first try, but the referee deemed it a score. 8

WILL ROWLANDS: Big performance. He weighed in with 13 tackles, disrupted Falcons’ set-piece and the lineout went smoothly when running through his hands. Those hands also helped with Fekitoa’s key rip on Burrell close to Wasps’ line. Was penalised for not rolling away, but he was pinned in the clear out. 7.5 BRAD SHIELDS: Another Test-level display, his very well-taken try was a deserved reward for the way he imposed himself on the game. Shields has filled in well as captain but being free of that seemed to lift him against the Falcons. He was replaced after a game-winning turnover with Barbeary. 8.5 THOMAS YOUNG: Handy in wider channels and put Bassett free down the flank early on. Grew into the game as it wore on and got a crucial maul steal as Falcons looked to have wrestled back momentum late-on. Could’ve had a try but couldn’t latch onto a ball as he slightly mistimed his run. 8

SIONE VAILANU: Clearly determined to make up for lost time. He was a one-man wrecking ball. You’re always going to get some rough with the smooth with Vailanu. One offload was intercepted, he was bailed out by a teammate after being stopped close to his own line and was replaced just after the break. 7.5

REPLACEMENTS Gabriel Oghre (for Taylor, 47): 6

Tom West (for Harris, 41): Came on with 35 minutes to go and immediately got stuck in, playing a key role in the run-up to Shields’ try. Also helped Wasps turn the screw at scrum. 8 Jack Owlett (for Toomaga-allen, 74) Theo Vukasinovic (for Shields, 74)

Alfie Babeary (for Vailanu, 47): Certainly lived up to the hype. He picked up right where he left off and racked up 28 explosive metres from eight carries, and nearly had a try. 8 Ben Vellacott (for Wolstenholme, 65): 7 Charlie Atkinson (for Le Bourgeois, 79) Matteo Minozzi (for Miller, 60): 6