Rassie and Cullen are relieved
24-16 ahead nearing the finish, their bench had the composure to cope despite the sudden and significant shortfall in Champions Cup experience.
‘I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but in the same breath we have played many games during the Six Nations without them. The guys that played the last 15, 20 minutes have been grinding out wins without those guys.
‘They are growing into handling pressure situations… I’m not sure we are mentally where we should be, but we’re growing,’ added the South African at the end
of a week that began with further speculation on whether he will remain in Ireland beyond his first season.
Meanwhile in Dublin, Leo Cullen also expressed general satisfaction that Fergus McFadden’s clinching score in the 74th minute completed an impressive turnaround from 15 months ago, that 51-10 pool record hammering against the very same Wasps.
‘We want to play with attacking intent, but with that comes a little risk,’ Cullen admitted following a nervy second half when two tries in a seven-minute spell handed the Irish-owned visitors a lifeline after they took a 22-3 first-half pummelling.
‘There are definitely a lot of areas we can be better at,’ Cullen added.
The versatile Joey Carbery was named man of the match, and Cullen praised the youngster’s display.
‘Joey is very, very brave,’ Cullen said. ‘He’s not afraid to try things. I’m delighted for him today. It has come very quickly, but he is definitely a talent.’
Leinster’s first-half dominance was assisted by an extraordinary error, Willie Le Roux dropping the ball after diving over the line.
‘We looked like rabbits in the headlights in that first half,’ rued Wasps coach Dai Young. ‘Le Roux is really disappointed. You expect a player of that quality to score.’