Dallaglio’s pep-talk is inspiration for Robson masterclass
DAN Robson returned from England duty to fire Wasps back into title contention – then revealed how a midweek pep talk from Lawrence Dallaglio provided the inspiration.
Legendary Wasps No.8 Dallaglio had reminded the players of their responsibilities and, led by little general Robson, tries from Thomas Young, Tom Cruse, Nizaam Carr and Will Rowlands, allied to a valiant defensive effort, proved too much for below-par Bristol.
The only dark cloud on an otherwise joyous night for Wasps was fly-half Billy Searle’s right ankle dislocation which may well end his season. But Dai Young’s men now head into this Saturday’s home joust with Sale on the back of successive Premiership wins.
Robson said: “A lot of emotion went into it and we said at the start that intent was our big thing. Lawrence came in on Thursday to give a talk to the boys and spoke about what it means to wear the Wasps shirt.
“It’s cruel for Billy, who had waited for his chance and for 40-odd minutes was one of our best players, but we did ourselves proud and it was a really good win to be part of. Momentum is very hard to get but, hopefully, a couple of wins now will really kick us off.”
Bristol led early through Ian Madigan’s penalty but were error-strewn thereafter, allowing Wasps to dominate as they built a commanding 19-3 half-time lead.
Wales flanker Young – another returning international to impress – bagged their first try on 11 minutes from a catch and drive routine and, despite Wasps missing a host of chances, two clinical strikes before the interval gave Bristol a mountain to climb.
Young’s turnover won the penalty that the impressive Searle kicked to the corner, after which Wasps battered the line before Robson and Willie Le Roux combined to send in Tom Cruse.
Then, after a loose Yann Thomas pass had been picked off by Searle, the flyhalf intelligently held off three Bristol defenders before releasing Carr for try No.3.
Searle’s evening ended three minutes after the restart when he fell awkwardly in contact. Replacement Lima Sopoaga’s first act was to kick out on the full and Bristol struck immediately to roar back into the game when brilliant build-up play from Dan Thomas, Alapati Leiua and Harry Thacker laid on a scorching try for Harry Randall.
Home joy was short-lived, though, as Jack Lam’s midfield fumble enabled Wasps lock Rowlands to gather for an improbable 45-metre dash to the line.
Back came Bristol, inspired by Charles Piutau from the bench, to fashion a try for Piers O’Conor, before Piutau scorched on to Calum Sheedy’s offload and brushed off Le Roux to reduce the deficit to just four points with 20 minutes left.
A comeback looked on the cards, but Wasps dug in and, after Sopoaga had booted a penalty, Bristol were unable to fashion any clear openings as Robson expertly marshalled his troops for a crucial win.