By Bryn Palmer

Rees holds the Heineken Cup aloft after Sunday's win over Leicester

Tom Rees believes Wasps have a core of players that will keep them in trophy contention for the next decade.

Rees and fellow back-row James Haskell have already won England caps, while Dominic Waldouck and Dan Cipriani are now established in the Wasps squad.

"We fully believe that if we can stay fit and stay together, we have got what could be the core of the Wasps team for the next five to 10 years.

"That is what we want to achieve with this group," Rees told BBC Sport.

"I wouldn't mind standing here in 10 years' time and looking back to this Heineken final and thinking 'that was the changing of the guard' or however you want to put it."

With fly-half Alex King poised to retire after a 10th winner's medal in 10 years and veteran forwards Lawrence Dallaglio and Raphael Ibanez approaching the end of their careers, Wasps have already successfully integrated a host of quality youngsters.

If we hadn't have won anything, it would have left an empty feeling Tom Rees

Victory over Leicester on Sunday put the seal on a highly satisfying season for Rees, who made his England debut in the Six Nations, starting the final two matches against France and Wales.

But with Wasps failing to make the Premiership play-offs for the first time, he admits their sixth straight win in a Twickenham final was necessary to salvage their season.

"Personally I have had quite a good year but from a club point of view it would have left an empty feeling if we hadn't have won anything," he said.

"But to win on a day like that capped off, if not a perfect season, a pretty good one for me.

"I will be able to look back with my own memories of the Heineken Cup now rather than having to rely on everyone else's."

Rees was not involved when Wasps won the trophy for the first time in 2004 against Toulouse, a year after he joined the club from Basingstoke.

Rees (left) played his part in an outstanding Wasps defensive effort

But on Sunday, alongside Joe Worsley, Dallaglio and Haskell, he was instrumental in a Wasps back row that dominated their Leicester counterparts.

By the finish, however, he could barely hear his colleagues' calls after suffering a perforated ear drum in the second half.

"I got hit in the tackle, and it caught me flush on the ear," he explained.

"I suppose I could blame some of the things I butchered on not hearing properly! It was difficult hearing things on one side but in a way it was good because the crowd seemed a lot quieter.

"You are focused on the game but at times when play stopped and you were standing around, you couldn't help but think 'Jeez, there are 82,000 people here.'

"Both sets of fans were in great voice and it made for one of the best atmospheres I think I will ever be involved in."

More big occasions should swiftly follow for Rees, who is set to be named in England's World Cup squad.

He admits to disappointment at not being with the party set to face South Africa in Bloemfontein this Saturday but can see the benefits in a decent break before England gather for the start of World Cup preparations on 25 June.

"Not touring means someone else has got a shot at getting your shirt," he added.

"But at the same time it gives me a break. If I had gone on tour I would have been delighted but maybe worse for wear in a couple of weeks' time.

"I have got to take the positives out of the way things have happened. At least I can go away and enjoy this for a couple of weeks."