Gatland eyes up Cup success for Wasps

Warren Gatland surveyed the fall-out from a dramatic weekend of Powergen Cup action and said: "This has suddenly become a very interesting competition, and I fancy our chances."

The Wasps boss was delighted with his side's 46-8 victory at Bristol, a seven-try success achieved with a virtual second string line-up, but was even happier with the list of big-name clubs that were knocked out elsewhere.

"Holders Gloucester lost to London Irish, Leicester lost at home to Sale, and Northampton are also out," Gatland gloated. He might also have added perennial cup specialists Harlequins, who were surprise losers at Leeds on Friday night.

Wasps, the reigning Zurich Premiership champions and holders of the Parker Pen Cup, are perhaps the most powerful team in the quarter-final draw, although League leaders Bath, conquerors of Northampton, could claim to be the form horses.

Gatland, however, knows the Powergen Cup is now a very realistic target for Wasps and winning it would also give his side automatic qualification for next season's Heineken Cup.

Certainly, he is quite right to take a keen interest in a last eight which reads: Wasps, Birmingham-Solihull, Newcastle, Saracens, Leeds, London Irish, Sale and Bath.