Wasps buzzing in play-off fight

Melville and Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland agreed that referee Ashley Rowden lacked control throughout and it was the advice of touch judge Tony Spreadbury that brought the two dismissals, which both clubs will now appeal against. But Melville said: "The referee was poor."

The dismissals, though, should not detract from a performance of pace and power from a Wasps side that is benefiting hugely from the return to fitness of inspirational captain Lawrence Dallaglio and Alex King. Playmaker King is also kicking with an accuracy that Wasps have missed all season and his sniping runs from No10 were a problem all night for Gloucester.

Gatland has not doubts about the reasons for their revival.

He admitted: "This team has underperformed, but now the injured players are back and the Leicester win set a bench mark we have to keep matching.

"We realise, in this form, there are teams who won't want to face us in the play-offs. We need to show consistency against Saracens on Sunday. The key in the last two wins has been the big name players who have performed for us."

Meanwhile, London Irish kept up the fight for second with a 31-15 win over relegation-threatened Bath.

Barry Everitt, the league's top point scorer with 294, bagged 26 points while Michael Horak scored the Irish try that puts them one point behind Gloucester.

The Irish now face bottom placed Harlequins on Sunday and coach Gary Gold said: "The message is the same for the Quins game.

"Like Bath, they are fighting for their league survival and you have to beware a wounded animal."

Irish director of rugby Conor O'Shea is desperate to keep their form going with the Powergen Cup Final against Northampton on 20 April. He said: "If we don't perform against Quins we could go to Twickenham on a bit of a downer."

Everitt sends Bath closer to drop
Weekend Rugby Focus