Video nasty can help Wasps at Bath

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
11:30 AM

London Wasps director of rugby Dai Young admitted there had been a tough video analysis session early in the week reflecting on the heartbreaking 42-40 defeat to Harlequins at the London double-header.

His side led 40-13 after 56 minutes of the opening game of the season but the biggest comeback in Premiership history from the reigning champions left them with just two bonus points.

Young’s men travel to Bath this weekend and he has urged his players to learn from the experience.

“Well the good thing about this league is that as soon as one game is over you have to move on quickly to focusing on the next one,” Young said.

“We have gone through the video at length and we’re not under any illusions about the mistakes we made in the last 25 minutes or so.

“For 55 minutes we were very pleased with how we played but then we made unforced mistakes that put us under pressure, gave them momentum and we know what a quality team they are when they get their tails up.”

Young believes that the momentum of Quins, plus tiring bodies had contributed to Wasps’ poor end to the game.

“There are a lot of reasons why we fell away late in the game,” he said, adding: “I think one is that players ran out of steam - we have to be honest with that.

“Quite a few of our guys hadn’t much game time in pre-season, some had none and some had 40 minutes so that probably had an impact, but at the end of the day it is game we should have won.

“I am not sure there are many other teams but Harlequins who could have come back like that but I never felt comfortable with the lead throughout because we have all seen how quickly they can score. We are frustrated but we must learn from it.”

Young also warned that despite the disappointment from the result, it was also vital that his side take the positives from the game.

Young said: “Yes we are disappointed and we know you shouldn’t lose against any team with that kind of lead - but it’s happened and we have to recognise too the positives from the game.

“We played some of our best rugby since I joined the club in the first 55 minutes which is encouraging and we have to build on it. The message I have given to the players this week is to be disappointed but be positive at the same time.”