Waldouck adds sting to workmanlike Wasps

Wasps 23 Worcester 3

(PA)

It is an unequal world. Worcester, hardly the most confident of travellers, did a number of things rather well at Adams Park yesterday, tackling their weight and out-mauling Wasps whenever the former European champions took it into their heads to engage in a wrestling match, which, for reasons best known to themselves, was often. And where did it leave Pat Sanderson's side? Beaten and all but pointless.

The things Worcester did not do well were the things they were not equipped to do: move smoothly through the gears, attack space and play it off the cuff. In these areas the Londoners were more blessed, and while they were a long way short of showing the best of themselves as a 15-man unit, the likes of Paul Sackey, Tom Varndell, Danny Cipriani and the eye-catching Dominic Waldouck were both more threatening and more accomplished than their opponents. As a result, Wasps sit atop the table with three wins in as many starts.

Waldouck, drafted into midfield before the start when the Wallaby centre Steve Kefu picked up a groin strain in warming up, created both tries, one at the end of the opening quarter, the other half a dozen minutes into stoppage time. The first featured a beautifully-balanced run deep into Worcester territory – Serge Betsen, his captain, was on hand to apply the finish – while the second resulted from the cleverest of cross-kicks from right to left, Varndell taking advantage to run in his fifth try of the season.

If they have any sense, the England selectors will take a keen interest in the 21-year-old's progress. Waldouck has played most of his rugby at outside centre, but his performance in the inside position yesterday was a revelation. "I'd love to see him playing international rugby and I think he can do a job in the No 12 role," said the Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks, mindful of the Test team's issues in this area following the stricken Riki Flutey's withdrawal from the autumn internationals. "If you're talking about ball-carrying, there aren't many stronger than Dom. Kicking? The cross-kick was a pretty decent piece of work. As for passing, it's his strong point, both short and long."

With Cipriani contributing a couple of very smart drop goals, which served to deflate Worcester just when they were beginning to close in on a losing bonus point, and Joe Simpson bombarding the visiting back three with accurate box-kicks, the young bucks made their presence felt. So too did the old dog Betsen, who fought tooth and nail with his opposite number Sanderson on the floor and just about shaded the argument.

Worcester might have pressed harder had Willie Walker nailed his opportunities on the kicking front, but two penalties and a drop attempt were missed before he managed his solitary three-pointer with six minutes remaining. The visiting camp acknowledged that they had been inaccurate in all sorts of ways, and when a side's attacking options are this limited, anything less than a spot-on display tends not to be good enough.

Sackey's successful return from serious injury – he broke his leg in two places last season – leaves him in good shape for next weekend's meeting with the Premiership's most dangerous side, London Irish, in Reading. A tilt at his former club in the biggest fixture of the season to date, with the massed ranks of the England management in attendance? Unsurprisingly, he had that "bring it on" look in his eye.

He was not alone. Wasps are hardly renowned for their bright starts to league campaigns, but with Phil Vickery, Simon Shaw and Tom Rees still to return to their pack, they are feeling good at an unusually early stage. Events at the Madejski Stadium in six days will be very instructive indeed.

Wasps: Tries Betsen, Varndell; Conversions Cipriani 2; Penalty Cipriani; Drop goals Cipriani 2. Worcester: Penalty Walker.

Wasps L Mitchell; P Sackey, B Jacobs, D Waldouck, T Varndell; D Cipriani, J Simpson; T Payne (C Beech, 56), R Webber (T Lindsay, 82), B Broster (R Baker, 52), G Skivington, R Birkett, J Worsley (D Leo, 70), S Betsen (capt), D Ward-Smith (J Hart, 59).

Worcester C Latham; M Garvey, A Grove, S Tuitupou (R Gear, 70), M Benjamin; W Walker, R Powell (J Arr, 14-22 and 78); M Mullan (A Black, 67), C Fortey (A Lutui, 50), T Taumoepuea (J Gilding, 73), G Rawlinson (G Kitchener, 67), C Gillies, T Wood, P Sanderson (capt), K Horstmann (N Talei, 57).

Referee J P Doyle (London).