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Wasps romp to dominant 40-7 bonus-point win

Reigning champions Wasps recorded a dominant 40-7 bonus-point win over Llanelli Scarlets to line up a do-or-die clash against Munster for a rugby European Cup quarter-final spot.

The result left Wasps in top spot in Pool 5 with 18 points, with 2006 champions Munster second on 15 points after overcoming a 20-6 half-time deficit to claim a losing bonus point in their 26-19 defeat to Clermont, who are third on 14 points.

Wasps travel to Limerick next week to play Munster in their final pool game, while Llanelli host Clermont.

Only the winners of each of the six pools are assured qualification to the quarter-finals, the other two places going to the best second-place finishers.

Led by an imperious backrow of flankers James Haskell and Tom Rees and veteran No. 8 Lawrence Dallaglio, Wasps outplayed the Welsh region all over the park.

Llanelli's leaky defense -- only Italian clubs Viadana and Treviso have conceded more tries -- was shown wanting in the sixth minute.

Live-wire Ireland scrumhalf Eoin Reddan took a quick penalty tap and dropped off center Fraser Waters, who sprinted in for the opening try.

England captain Phil Vickery scored a pushover try 10 minutes later, but the visitors hit back with a try of their own through prop Deacon Manu, who barged his way over past Reddan.

But Wasps responded immediately, fullback David Doherty latching on to a clever grubber-kick by impressive center Rikki Flutey.

Dominic Walcouck ensured Wasps secured a bonus point with a fourth try for a 26-7 half-time lead.

Rob Hoadley, on as a replacement for the injured Flutey, scored with his first touch as Wasps continuned their dominance over the Scarlets, who relied on some doughty defense to stay in the game.

England international winger Paul Sackey scored Wasps' sixth try after a Dallaglio backflip put replacement scrumhalf Mark McMillan through.

In Clermont, the home side came out with all guns blazing in the knowledge that a win with no points for Munster was all that would keep them in the competition.

Munster's European Cup leading scorer Ronan O'Gara scored an early penalty against the run of play but Clermont fired back with a close-range Pierre Mignoni try after a bullocking run by winger Julien Malzieu.

Australian outside-half Brock James kicked the extras and two penalties soon after.

Munster found themselves on the ropes in front of a huge vocal home crowd, but the Irish finally broke through via former All Black winger Doug Howlett.
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