Premiership: Wasps 22-16 Leicester Tigers

Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson's converted try made it 19-0 to Wasps before Leicester's fightback

Wasps flanker James Haskell was taken off the field just 36 seconds into his comeback game after appearing to be knocked out in the win over Leicester.

Haskell, who had been out for seventh months with a toe injury, came on as a second-half substitute but was forced off after a tackle on Freddie Burns.

Christian Wade, Tommy Taylor and Dan Robson tries put Wasps 19-3 ahead.

Peter Betham's try reduced the deficit but Jimmy Gopperth's penalty ensured Wasps returned to the top of the table.

Leicester, playing their first match since the sacking of director of rugby Richard Cockerill, suffered a third successive defeat, albeit one with the consolation of a losing bonus point, and are fifth in the table.

James Haskell came on as a second-half replacement, only to go off himself with injury within one minute after this challenge with Freddie Burns

Tigers will come away from the match with many positives under head coach Aaron Mauger, which did not look likely during the first-half blitz from Wasps.

Wade scored his ninth Premiership try of the season early on, before Taylor was put over in a drive and Robson crossed following a fast break out by man of the match Thomas Young.

After the break Tigers came out strongly, and after Betham finished off a move started by Tom Brady, Burns' penalty made it 19-16.

But Dan Cole's yellow card for being offside helped the hosts regain some impetus, and Gopperth's kick from the resulting penalty made it a six-point game.

Tigers made late changes in search of a potentially decisive try, but poor handling from Betham and George Worth in particular cost them dearly.

The match attracted Wasps' best Premiership attendance of the season of 27,930, with the club having been watched by well over 50,000 supporters in two successive games at the Ricoh Arena for the first time.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young: "The first half, we came out of the blocks, got some quick ball to play off and we were probably disappointed that we didn't come away with some more points on the board.

"Once you give a team like Leicester a bit of momentum, it's very hard to snatch it back. I thought we were in total control in the first half, and pretty much hanging on for dear life in the last 10 minutes.

"You know the players Leicester have got, they are a proud bunch and never know when they are beaten.

"I am pleased we have won - I don't want to downplay that - but we constantly talk about learning from every game."

Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger: "I don't think you could ever question the character of our guys. We talked about playing for each other before we got on the bus.

"I was really proud of the way the guys responded in the second half. I thought we put ourselves in a situation to win the game.

"There was a lot of emotion going around, especially in the first part of the week, but everyone has taken responsibility for the situation.

"We have lost some good men this season due to our performances, and we are all responsible for that."

• Listen to BBC Radio Leicester's interview with Aaron Mauger

Wasps: Beale; Wade, Daly, Eastmond, Bassett; Gopperth, Robson; Mullan (capt), Taylor, Moore, Symons, Myall, Young, Thompson, Hughes.

Replacements: Johnson, McIntyre, Swainston, Gaskell, Haskell, Simpson, Cipriani, Miller.

Leicester: Burns; Thompstone, Betham, Roberts, Brady; O Williams, B Youngs; Genge, T Youngs (capt), Cole, Slater, Fitzgerald, M Williams, Evans, O'Connor.

Replacements: McGuigan, Bateman, Cilliers, Kitchener, McCaffrey, Harrison, Worth, Smith.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)

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