Cronin’s cronies crush Wasps

A LEINSTER lashing left Wasps winless for the first time in Europe as their continental challenge ended with a whimper in Coventry. Sean Cronin, the Ireland hooker, scored twice as the Heineken Champions Cup holders secured a bonus-point win to set up an all-Irish quarter-final at home to Ulster. It means there could be a meeting with Saracens in the final. Jamison Gibson-Park, the New Zealander scrum-half who qualifies for Ireland in June, ran the show and fly-half Ross Byrne hit 12 points — Garry Ringrose and Noel Reid the other scorers. It was yet another chastening defeat for Wasps, made worse by injury scares for Joe Launchbury and Brad Shields, but their director of rugby Dai Young could only applaud the dominant Irish. ‘The quality of players sets them apart,’ he said. ‘You feel sorry for them when Jack Conan is ruled out and they bring Sean O’Brien in! ‘They’re well coached, play together a lot and have experience mixed in with really exciting youngsters. ‘They can shut up shop, go to their driving lineout, or play more expansively.’ Ominously for England, Robbie Henshaw and O’Brien stormed back to form ahead of the Six Nations opener on February 2. Johnny Sexton missed the game but it is understood he will travel to Ireland’s Portuguese training camp and be fit for the Dublin match. Byrne’s two first-half penalties were split by Ringrose’s try — the centre picking a lovely, jinking line. Cronin scored two from rolling mauls either side of half-time, the second after Nathan Hughes had crashed over for Wasps. Dan Robson dummied and went over for a lively try and Marcus Watson flew in late on, but Noel Reid’s effort, the conversion and his closing penalty meant the night smiled on the Irish.