Christian Wade and Jamie Roberts traded tries, but it was two England stars who helped Wasps score seven tries against Harlequins and climb back to the top of the table.
Last time out Harlequins had ended Saracens’ perfect start to the season – and England’s Maro Itoje unbeaten run for club and country – with Scottish winger Tim Visser going over in a 17-10 victory.
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But in truth history never looked like repeating itself as Wasps made it five wins from as many games with a comfortable 47-18 triumph.
However, after 20 minutes the two sides were locked at 5-5 as Wales centre Jamie Roberts – a veteran of two British & Irish Lions tours – was on Marland Yarde’s shoulder to force his way over to cancel out Ashley Johnson’s opener.
But parity was short lived as Wasps scored three more tries to wrap up the bonus point before half-time, with Quins only managing one in reply before the interval.
However, not to be outdone by his fellow member of the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad, Wasps winger Christian Wade also got his name on the scoresheet just before the hour mark to kickstart the scoring after the break.
Sam Jones’ powerful break and some quick hands sent Wade into the corner for a score, converted by Jimmy Gopperth.
58 mins: TRY WASPS! Sam Jones goes bursting through in midfield, the ball is recycled and Christian Wade dots down! Converted. 33-18
— Wasps (@WaspsRugby) October 2, 2016
But it was Wade’s England team-mates who also impressed during the seven-try salvo, with Wasps being led by a storming display by No.8 powerhouse Nathan Hughes.
Hughes, who is in line for his England debut next month after being named in Eddie Jones’ training squad, never stopped running for the full 80 minutes and was awarded the man-of-the-match award for his efforts, having also helped set up a first Wasps try for fellow Red Rose Kyle Eastmond after powering through midfield only to be hauled down by a last-ditch tackle.
And Elliot Daly once again impressed in Wasps’ No.13 jersey, setting up a try and scoring another in a blistering first-half display from the home side.
When Josh Bassett recovered Gopperth’s precise grubber, he found Daly steaming up in support and the centre’s flat pass sent Dan Robson to the posts for a 26th-minute try.
And Daly soon followed his England team-mate onto the scoreboard with another brilliant long-distance score.
He took a flat pass and sped through Quins’ midfield untouched before going behind the posts from 40 metres to bank the try bonus point – with Daly and co giving England head coach Jones plenty of food for thought ahead of the autumn internationals.
33 mins: TRY WASPS! Elliot Daly, like a knife through butter! Out of nowhere the outside centre goes gliding through the defence! 26-11
— Wasps (@WaspsRugby) October 2, 2016
