Bassett stings Tigers

JOSH BASSETT’S late try took Wasps to their first Aviva Premiership final for nine years.

Jimmy Gopperth and Willie Le Roux sent Bassett into the corner with two minutes left to end ever-dogged Leicester’s stubborn resistance and send the Ricoh Arena rocking.

But Dai Young’s side may have to face Exeter in the final without Kurtley Beale after the Australia flyer limped off.

Beale will face an anxious wait to learn if he can play more Wasps match before heading back Down Under.

Beale grabbed Wasps’ first score as they led early on but Leicester drew level at 13-13 courtesy of Peter Betham’s try.

Madcap

Telusa Veainu’s secondhalf try for the Tigers left Wasps throwing everything at a madcap recovery, with Bassett just finding time to turn the tide.

Leicester captain Tom Youngs was unable to cap a testing few weeks by taking his side to the final but was lauded by both sets of supporters, all aware his wife Tiffany has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The Tigers’ bravery and grit so nearly trumped Wasps’ fluent back play, but in the end the hosts squeezed through.

Young had ordered Wasps’ marquee players to earn their hefty wages in knockout rugby, and star turns Beale and Le Roux soon obliged.

Leicester replied when Freddie Burns’ cut-out pass sent Betham in and they scented blood when Beale went off in the second half.

Veainu cantered home to put them ahead – but Bassett had the last word.