Leinster 6
Wasps 33
London Wasps dished out Leinster's heaviest ever defeat in European rugby at the RDS earlier this afternoon, with the despondent Irish side failing to cross for a single try.
The result already questions the eastern province's European credentials as they are now "scrambling" to get out of a Pool that also contains Bath and three-in-a-row champions Toulon.
Leo Cullen's charges conceded three tries to an outstanding Wasps team, with All Black Charles Piutau leaving Ulster fans salivating at the prospect of him playing alongside Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy next season.
Piutau touched down for a questionable third after Christian Wade pounced for the opener, and Joe Simpson finished off a great move to get his side's second.
Wasps had big performers across the pitch with Nathan Hughes, George Smith, Frank Halai and Ellilot Daly all deserving of individual praise, but it was the overall team effort that will win the plaudits.
For Leinster, they looked a side devoid of inspiration and leaders even with the returning internationals. They struggled to get over the gainline on multiple occasions and when they did manage to visit the opponent's dangerzone, the clinical edge was sorely missing.
In fact, the brightest aspects of Leinster's play came from the youngsters when they were introduced in the second half, with Jack Conan and Garry Ringrose showing some nice touches.
LISTEN: Leo Cullen reviews the Leinster performance.
The warning signs were there early on as Wasps won a penalty from the scrum after four minutes, allowing Ruaridh Jackson to give the English side the lead, before Johnny Sexton responded moments later.
Sexton added another after missing a kickable penalty on 17 minutes, but that would be the last score of the day for Leinster as Wasps began to school their hosts.
Jackson added another three before Daly struck from distance after a high tackle from Mike Ross. Then disaster struck in the RDS after 30 minutes.
A ranging Joe Simpson box kick found territory in the Leinster 22', and even though Dave Kearney was back covering, he seemed unaware that Wade was in pursuit. An awkward bounce then wrong footed the Irish wing, causing him to slip and allow the electric Wade to pounce.
L'essai casquette. pic.twitter.com/GlUQX5342U
— greub (@greub1) November 15, 2015
Jackson converted to make it 16-6 and that's how it stayed until the break, but any hopes of a comeback were dented by the losses of Sean O'Brien and Richardt Strauss to head injuries.
Piutau continued showing off his impressive range of skills with a break on his first touch of the ball in the second 40', before throwing a gorgeous offload.
Sors de ce corps El Mago ! pic.twitter.com/26f8qsmBWs
— greub (@greub1) November 15, 2015
That set the tone as Wasps got in for their second; Ben Jacobs' reverse pass put Halai in space and the monster wing brushed off two tackles before showing deft hands to send Simpson scooting under the posts.
"That's fabulous from @WaspsRugby" @F_halai and @joesimpson9 combine for try against @leinsterrugby. #ChampionsCup https://t.co/82YukE6Yo1
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) November 15, 2015
Jackson made no mistake with the conversion and Leinster were suddenly 23-6 behind. In years gone by, Sexton would have led a magnificent Leinster fightback but today he was the culprit of multiple unforced errors. His restart from the Simpson try went out on the full before he kicked a penalty to the corner dead, while even his trademark loop was easily read more than once by a hungry Wasps defence.
Jackson added another penalty in the 69th minute before Piutau got over for the last score of the game in questionable circumstances.
Countering from a late Leinster push for a consolation, substitute wing Sailosi Tagicakibau looked to have grounded the ball short of the line before knocking on, allowing Piutau to dot the loose ball over. However, upon TMO review the ball was adjudged to have gone backwards and the try stood, with Alex Lozowski nailing the touchline conversion.
Highlights: @leinsterrugby 6-33 @WaspsRugby #ChampionsCup https://t.co/GZkwaz1AhL
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) November 15, 2015
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