Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young hopes his side can build on their bonus point victory over Worcester Warriors.
The Coventry-based side beat their Midlands rivals 30-26 as tries from Jimmy Gopperth, Jack Willis, Dan Robson and Zach Kibirige saw them secure a vital bonus point win.
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However, Dai Young believes there is more that needs to be done, saying:
“The game could’ve gone either way. I thought first half we didn’t play the right game. We tried to play too much from our own half. Worcester set their stall out early they weren’t going to play too much rugby in their own half.
“The message at half time was to play a bit more field position, pressurise them and hopefully we get the ball back and take some opportunities. We played the right game second half up until four minutes to go. We got ourselves in front and tried every way to try and lose the game.“
Mixed fortunes but Dai Young has his sights on europe
So far this season Wasps have been competitive in games but have struggled to close out results. In round eight, Wasps suffered a loss at the death against Northampton Saints when they were two men down after a Tom Collins red card. They also suffered a heavy 27-0 loss to Bordeaux Bègles at the Ricoh in last weekend’s Challenge Cup game.
“We haven’t won every game, but I think we’ve been in the games we’ve probably come away from with one or two moments that we could’ve won that game,” said the Welshman.
“I think our performances have certainly gone in the right direction. It was a major step back last week and has been a tough week for the players and I thought they bounced back today and showed plenty of spirit and heart.”
Wasps’ relegation threat was ended last week as Saracens were automatically relegated but Young always had his eyes on the top six.
“That’s always the aim. It’s never been any different.
“People will talk about with Saracens being relegated taking a bit of pressure off. We’d be lying to say it doesn’t but our target has always been the same. Every team in this league can beat each other and so it’s going to go right to the wire.”
Super Jack Willis saves the day
Young flanker Jack Willis has shown fine form since his comeback from injury.
He was a key part of Wasps victory, halting Worcester attacks with vital turnovers including one in the last play as the hosts were approaching the Wasps line.
Willis was unlucky to not be selected in Eddie Jones’ Six Nations squad and Young feels he could offer more than just great breakdown ability.
Dai Young said:
“It’s a massive disappointment. I think he showed some real quality again today, that turn over at the end probably saved our bacon.
“His balance in his game was much better over the last couple of weeks, he’s making some real big carries, scored a try again, getting off the line making big tackles. He’s not just all about turnovers, he’s got an all-round game.
“To me he’s an international in waiting. Eddie can’t pick everybody obviously and there is quality there without a shadow of a doubt. Jack is hopefully the next cap off the rank, I’m disappointed he’s not there because he should’ve been there but I’m pretty biased.”
Plenty of positives going forward
Five points at Sixways moves Wasps up to eighth in the Premiership. They are now three points off Bath who currently hold the final Champions Cup place and five off Gloucester, who are sitting in the fourth play off spot.
However, Young doesn’t want his side to get ahead of themselves, saying:
“There’s a long way to go in the season and we hope to keep this going. Defensively we muscled up, so things right across the board we’re moving in the right direction.
“This game has a habit of kicking you in the nuts when you think you’ve turned a corner. The last thing I’ll be thinking is that we’ve turned a corner because there’s lots of things we can work on but we’re certainly heading in the right direction.”
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