Big Joe was just immense says Dai

DAI YOUNG paid tribute to his side after their last ditch win. “I was very pleased with our composure – we never panicked but kept hammering away and found a way to get over the line.”

The Wasps rugby director added: “Joe Launchbury was immense in the last 25 minutes, and Guy Thompson came on and carried really well. We really stretched them but they found a way to stop us because that’s the club they are.”

Wasps captain Launchbury said: “I’d be lying if I said it went completely to plan, but we tasked ourselves to come out and play these big games – we are not all that used to them – and I’m delighted.”

Leicester head coach Matt O’Connor said: “I was pretty happy with the second half effort – we turned it into a real armwrestle. The resilience and character of the group was never questionable.”

He added that the ovation given by both sets of fans to Tigers captain Tom Youngs was richly deserved: “He has always led from the front, and with (his wife) Tiff and her illness, still to be fronting-up is amazing. He’s a special player, a special bloke.”