Lawrence Dallaglio: Cup can act as a stepping stone

 
PA
Nik Simon3 April 2013

London Wasps were in turmoil last season but Lawrence Dallaglio believes Friday’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter‑final against Leinster could act as a springboard for future success.

Former Wasps captain Dallaglio led the club to Heineken Cup triumphs in 2004 and 2007 but last season he saw the club avoid relegation by a point.

Wasps have been a different proposition this term and ex-England skipper Dallaglio believes the club’s young squad, featuring rising stars such as Elliot Daly (above), Joe Launchbury and Christian Wade, can help them become a European force again.

“The Amlin Challenge Cup provides a wonderful stepping stone,” said Dallaglio. “The first European trophy Wasps won was the Amlin Challenge Cup and the stepping stone that gave us in 2002 was incredible, we went on to win five or six more trophies.”

Dallaglio added: “It’s been a tough time. Wasps are a club that seem to thrive on adversity, we always have, but last year was one to forget.

“This season has been very positive, they’ve got back to basics and they’re looking a bit more recognisable from the Wasps that I left. They’re still not quite competing at the very top end but they’re certainly doing a lot better.

“You’ve got to take little steps. Northampton and Quins got relegated a few years ago and they took little steps back towards the top. Wasps nearly got relegated and their mid-table position at the moment is probably a reflection of where they are.”

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