 | MATCH DETAILS Wasps: 17 (14) Tries: Abbott Pens: King 4 Leicester: 48 (20) Tries: Smith, Healey 2, Goode 2, Ellis Cons: Goode 6 Pens: Goode 2 |
Leicester ended Wasps' bid to finish top of the Zurich Premiership table and ensured their own place in the Wildcard play-offs with victory at Adams Park. Wasps led early on through a Stuart Abbott try, but once Leicester got in front they never looked back.
The Tigers ran in six tries in a rampaging display, with Austin Healey and Andy Goode both scoring two apiece.
Goode added six conversions and two penalties, while Harry Ellis and Ollie Smith also scored tries.
Wasps coach Warren Gatland said he felt his team may have lost focus because of the upcoming Heineken Cup final.
"I'm not really thinking about too much other than the fact that we were on the receiving end of a good old-fashioned hiding," said Gatland.
"It is possible some of the players are getting ahead of themselves.
"We haven't been in this position as a club before, getting so far in the Heineken Cup, so it is testing for us." Leicester coach John Wells paid tribute to his team's former England stars.
"You notice what happens to England when they're without Martin Johnson and Neil Back and you notice what happens now we've got them," he said.
But he added: "I'm not na�ve enough to believe that this was Wasps' best side and their best performance.
"I also believe we had the edge mentally as this was a must-win game whereas Wasps had a get-out clause."
Wasps will now face Northampton for the right to take on Bath in the Zurich Premiership final, and then have the Heineken Cup final to look forward.
Leicester will face Harlequins in the Wildcard play-offs at Welford Road.
Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Lewsey, Waters, Abbott, Voyce; King, Howley; Payne, Leota, Green; Purdy, Birkett; Worsley, Volley, Dallaglio
Replacements: McKenzie, Lock, Gotting, Skivinton, Biljon, Logan, Erinle
Leicester: Goode; Murphy, Lloyd, Gibson, Healey; van der Westhuyzen, Ellis; Morris, Chuter, White; Johnson, Deacon; Corry, Back, Johnson.
Replacements from: Holford, Nebbett, West, Kay, Balding, Tuilagi, Tierney, Smith, F Tuilagi, Gelderbloom