Harsh words leave Wasps Edin for big rematch in good shape
DAI’S MEN READY FOR ROUND TWO AS SHORTCOMINGS OF DEFEAT IN SCOTLAND LAID BARE
WASPS’ playing squad returned from a rare weekend off to be delivered some home truths in the aftermath of their defeat in Edinburgh.
An error-strewn performance, especially with ball in hand at Murrayfield, saw Richard Cockerill’s side run home four tries to secure a comfortable 31-20 victory that leaves Wasps’ European hopes hanging by a thread.
Following the Friday night reverse, which extended the Black and Golds’ run of European defeats on the road to eight dating back to January 2017’s win over Zebre, the players were granted Saturday and Sunday off before returning to the club’s Broadstreet RFC training ground base to commence preparations for round two of the double header at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.
“We have to make sure we get our house in order and not make the mistakes that give Edinburgh the ball,” said forwards coach Andy Titterrell.
“That’s something we’ve spoken about in the review.
“There were some harsh words said outside in training which I think needed to be said. Hopefully the boys will go out and deliver now, put into practice and learn when they need to learn.”
Wasps were guilty of letting opportunities slip through their fingers in the round three encounter that sees them now lie seven points behind Edinburgh heading into the second half of the pool stage fixtures.
The six-day build up to the ‘rematch’ commenced with laying bare the shortcomings in Scotland.
“I don’t think you achieve anything from sitting on the fence,” added Titterrell. “I think we all had something to get off our chest at the weekend. “We had Saturday and Sunday off to be able to regroup. “Coaches got on with their preparations over that time, if things aren’t glaringly obvious then we need to
It’s about being able to make them see what we’re seeing so they don’t potentially make the same mistake again.
Andy Titterrell
make them obvious. The players understand it, where we’re coming from.
“But it’s about being able to make them see what we’re seeing so they don’t potentially make the same mistake again.
“I think that’s what we want to see as coaches, we try and correct things out on the field, especially if we have highlighted them, that we do things slightly differently next time or what their thought process was.
“We have to challenge them on that side of things as well.”
‘Disappointment’ was the over-riding emotion upon analysis of Wasps’ eighth defeat in all competitions this term from 12 outings, explained Titterrell.
“Frustration can boil over,” he added. “You can go one way or the other. “We’ve got our structures in place. “It’s just a lapse in concentration on a certain phase or someone not sticking to structure and they come out of it and it’s caused us a bit of bother.
“We can all see it as coaches and as players, they’re seeing the same thing as us which is good, you come under the spotlight on that 80-minute performance and they have to be able to adapt outside on the field and realise what they’re doing at the time.”