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James Haskell has spelled out to his Wasps players the challenge they face if they are to complete a remarkable qualification for the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Victory over Leinster at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday would see Wasps become the first team to reach the last eight of Europe’s premier competition after losing their opening two pool matches.
Wasps began their campaign with defeats to Leinster and Harlequins but a 23-3 win over Quins at the Twickenham Stoop has put the club in sight of a milestone.
Haskell was man of the match and a key part of a defensive action that meant Quins failed in their attempt to dig themselves out of a 17-0 first-half deficit.
Wasps must repeat that kind of performance if they are to beat Leinster, who powered to a 50-8 win over Castres. Haskell said: “When you play a team like Harlequins you have to play with the man next to you, you have to be prepared to work. When you see someone lagging, you have to get on them.
“That is what European rugby is about: going to a dark, dark place, playing until you can’t play any more and doing it again week in, week out and playing against the best.
“Leinster at home — that is what dreams are made of. It is a huge, huge occasion that some of these boys won’t have experienced before.”
