RUGBY UNION: WASPS opened their 2017/18 Premiership campaign on Sunday with a 15 point win over Sale Sharks at the Ricoh Arena.
A hat-trick from Dan Robson with further tries for Christian Wade, Will Rowlands, and Alex Rieder proved enough as Wasps started the new season in fine style.
Despite this, Director of Rugby Dai Young admitted his side can often be ‘their own enemy’ after Wasps conceeded five tries themselves throughout the 80 minutes of play.
“We got a little bit loose in the second half, but you’ve got to give Sale a lot of credit,” said Young.
“They’re a very hard team to put away and they’re always going to keep coming back at you.
“We had a five-minute spell when there were only eight points in it. At that time, I thought the score was probably flattering Sale a little bit.
“But then by the end it probably flattered us instead.”
Despite letting five tries past, Young was pleased his side registered their first win of the season
The five points leaves Wasps joint top of the table after one game with Saracens, Newcastle, London Irish, and Gloucester all claiming maximum points also.
Young said: “I am really pleased to get the win.
“As we’ve said many times before, we’re our own worst enemy and we cause ourselves problems.
“It sounds ridiculous to say having conceded five tries, but there were parts of our defence that were really good.
“But I think if you look at where their tries came from, it was from when we had the ball. Our transition from attack to defence wasn’t quick enough.
“However I was pleased with the first half, especially in the first 20 minutes when I thought we were really disciplined.
“We didn’t try to play from too deep when it wasn’t on and I thought our exits were really good.”
Wasps are next in action at the Ricoh Arena against Harlequins on Sunday, September 17.
Emergency service employees will be able to enter the game for free of charge.
