Wasps have produced a memorable second-half comeback against Leinster to pick up a 20-20 draw and keep their European Rugby Champions Cup hopes alive in the process.
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The home side were clearly pumped up from the off, although that soon spilled over as Ashley Johnson was shown a yellow card inside two minutes for taking an opponent out in the air under a high ball.
Pool leaders Leinster were quick to punish their opponents, crossing over through Fergus McFadden after capitalising on a solid maul to create space in the corner.
Andy Goode clawed back three points for his side by converting a penalty from the far touchline, and there was some more good news for Wasps when Ian Maddigan missed a rare pen of his own.
There was to be no mistake at the second time of asking, though, as the Ireland international found the sticks with his next kick to extend the visiting side's advantage a little further.
Wasps, who were looking to become the first side ever to qualify for the last eight of the showpiece competition after losing their opening two games, were once more left a man light when Lorenzo Cittadani was penalised, although Goode soon added his second successful pen just moments later to leave the tie delicately poised.
Dai Young's men did well to hold Leinster at bay, although Jimmy Gopperth found the whitewash for his side's second try shortly before the interval.
Incredibly, there was to be a third yellow shown before the half-time break, this time for Les Bleus as Kane Douglas got on the wrong side of the referee, but Goode could not quite convert the resulting kick.
A big second-half performance was needed from Wasps, and once more they came out the stronger side, although they could not find a way over as they continued to trail by 14 points as the game reached its hour mark.
Finally the pressure told as Matt Mullan burrowed the ball over having driven closer and closer to the try-line, and following the successful conversion suddenly there was just seven points in it.
Some solid work from the pack then granted Nathan Hughes the chance to touch down, and he did just that to spark joyous scenes among home supporters.
The fightback was complete 10 minutes from time when Goode found the sticks with the follow-up attempt, meaning that the final 10 minutes was all about the defence.
Wasps were able to see out the contest to ensure that, despite Harlequins' bonus-point victory at Castres, it is they who finish in second place in the Pool Two standings, hoping that results elsewhere go their way to secure a place in the final eight.
Daniel Lewis
