London Wasps flyers Christian Wade and Tom Varndell each grabbed two tries as they reminded the England selectors there are other wing options in the Aviva Premiership, writes Chris Jones.
Wade, 20, and 27-year-old Varndell, who has won four caps, are one of the most potent double acts in European rugby. Wade scored a try helping England win the non-cap match with the Barbarians at Twickenham in May and his double against the Welsh took his Premiership total to five in this campaign — one behind Varndell.
This was Wasps’ fourth successive win and Dai Young was quick to praise the speedsters.
“Our wings were the major difference between the two sides,” said Wasps’ director of rugby. “Christian was outstanding and Tom was not far behind. Christian must be in the frame for England, he is in the Saxons set-up but England are blessed with some high-quality wings and he must carry on the way he is playing to continue to impress them.”
Exiles coach Lyn Jones, who saw his side cross through Phil Mackenzie and Franck Montanella in the second half, agreed with Young’s assessment.
“Their back three was the difference in the game,” he said. “They were hugely influential, when they had 50-50 opportunities they took them all.”
Wasps could have won by even more but were careless at times and it did not help that Nicky Robinson missed five from his six attempts.
Young saw his side take a 21-6 lead but the Welsh continued to battle and were unlucky to miss out on a losing bonus point.
“There are a number of things to work on, we struggled up front especially in the second half and our ball retention was very poor,” said Young. “We need to play with more composure as we squandered three or four good chances.”
