Howley stars as Wasps win over Irish

13 April 2012

Rob Howley's international retirement was called into question again yesterday after another vintage performance took Wasps to second place in the Premiership and into the frame as genuine title contenders.

The 31-year- old former Wales scrum half conjured two moments of opportunist magic in the first half at the Madejski Stadium to maintain London Irish's early-season problems and his own monumental start to life in English rugby. A quick penalty sent Paul Sampson away for Wasps' first try before the Welshman scored himself as the visitors took a 24-0 half-time lead.

Howley quit international rugby in April but Warren Gatland, Wasps' director of rugby, was in no doubt about the impact of his No 9's electric form. He said: 'I wouldn't be surprised

if Wales came knocking on the door to get him back. He's been great for the team and the players around him.'

Conor O'Shea, the London Irish director of rugby, was equally impressed, saying: 'Rob showed he is world class by scoring a try from nothing. Why he stopped playing for Wales only he will know.'

Yet Howley was by no means the only Wasp to catch the eye, sharing centre stage with, among others, two England players who most certainly do have a future in Test rugby.

Lawrence Dallaglio and Joe Worsley were inspirational in the back row, a fact that will be warmly welcomed at Twickenham with the autumn internationals fast approaching. The pair matched each other stride for powerful stride - handling the ball with care, tackling with gusto and driving holes in the home defence time and again.

Irish did not have an answer, missing too many tackles and lacking any real cutting edge. Fly half Barry

Everitt, the Premiership's top points scorer last season, again struggled to find his kicking range, missing three of six attempts at goal.

In the 12th minute, after the home side's early pressure had been repelled, Howley made his first impression. A penalty was awarded near halfway, and with the Irish defence disorganised, he quickly kicked ahead into space. Sampson tore forward, hacked the ball on and slid over from five yards. Alex King's wide conversion made it 10-0.

Wasps continued to dominate and on the half-hour, after Simon Shaw had wasted a three-man overlap, they struck again. From a close-range lineout came a Howley trademark, a big dummy pass creating enough space for him to dart over at the posts.

King converted and Wasps were out of sight, the breathing space relaxing them sufficiently to score a try of outstanding quality just before the break. Joe Worsley made the initial burst and after Dallaglio and Stuart Abbott kept the move alive, Howley and King combined at speed for Shane Roiser to touchdown.

It looked to be game over, a feeling reinforced when prop Craig Dowd bulldozed over from close range for Wasps' fourth try just after the hour.

But finally, the real London Irish stood up. Replacement prop Mike Worsley touched down after a strong drive from Declan Danaher and the mood immediately changed, with the likes of Mike Horak and Geoff Appleford beginning to puncture the Wasps' defensive wall.

After Paul Sackey was held up over the line, Mark Mapletoft and Kieron Dawson created the space for Danaher to charge over. Then, in injurytime, the 22-year-old flanker added his second, pouncing on the confusion created by Everitt's cross kick to score from close range.

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