Sales talk won't worry Wasps

13 April 2012

A midweek visit to the training ground by Wasps owner Chris Wright has convinced the players that they are not going to be abandoned.

Wright, whose company Loftus Road plc owns Queens Park Rangers football club and Wasps, plans to resign as chairman of both as soon as a successor can be found.

But after a 28-3 Premier-ship victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm, Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio, the England back row forward, said: 'Chris Wright came down in the week and reassured everyone that he is firmly behind the club.

'It is up for sale and obviously the boys are not oblivious to that. But Chris seems to have taken a real active interest in the rugby. He is enjoying it.

'We are doing well. I think the performance reflects the fact that any uncertainty doesn't transfer down to the dressing-room. If anything, it pulls everyone a bit closer together.'

That is in stark contrast to European Cup semi-finalists Gloucester, whose coach Philippe Saint-Andre offered to resign after the side's second defeat in five days.

Saint-Andre said: 'I offered Tom Walkinshaw (Gloucester's millionaire owner) my resignation but he did not accept it. So I must start to prepare for next season. I think some of the players are not up to playing at this level.

'They were making mistakes that 10- year- olds would not. I have some young players under 21 and towards the end of the season I will start to bring them into the side to prepare for next season.'

Despite an atrociously muddy pitch, Wasps ran in three tries through Paul Volley, Joe Worsley and Rob Henderson, while Kenny Logan kicked 13 points.

Gloucester began well but then folded tamely and Saint-Andre said: 'That was the worst performance since I took over. Some of my players do not have a professional attitude.'

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Sales talk won't worry Wasps

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