Harlequins 53

Wasps 17

Nigel Meville put on a brave face after Wasps' heaviest ever league defeat. He even managed a little joke for the waiting press corps as he sought to explain the reason for the defending champions' terrible slump in form.

"I am in training," the former England scrum half said.

More seriously, he explained: "We want to play expansive rugby and take the game to a new level."

He added: "There is bound to be pain as we strive towards that goal -- and we're suffering that now."

Melville also delivered a warning to his squad: "If the players we've got can't adapt to the expansive style, we'll go out and get those who can."

Wasp's problem all season has been that they make too many mistakes, and the degree to which those errors have been punished has varied.

On Saturday, a Quins side with real pace, and superbly marshalled by Thierry Lacroix, exploited the shortcomings ruthlessly.

Lawrence Dallaglio, far and away the best player on view, inspired Wasps, whose pack had the upper hand at the scrum, as they outgunned the Harlequins' eight and spent long periods deep in home territory.

Alas, apart from a try by Jon Ions on a minute, in reply to Lacroix's drop goal, Wasps' dominance went unrewarded.

Holes were often punched in Quins defence, but lack of support let them regroup. Passes were often inaccurate and the ball was dropped at vital times. Rugby at this level does not allow simple chances to be squandered.

Lacroix's second drop goal and three penalties kept Harlequins' score ticking over. Near half-time, Wasps presented their opponents with a crucial try. In a move down the left, ponderous passing allowed Darren O'Leary to pounce and race 40 metres to score. Four tries following interceptions have been conceded by Wasps this season, and that speaks volumes.

Harlequins, ahead 22-10 at half-time, soon took the game to Dallaglio's men, and a scintillating break by Lacroix led to a try by Jamie Williams.

Referee Jim Fleming awarded a penalty try to each side, after Wasps failed to release the ball near their line, and Harlequins collapsed a scrum on their line.

Playing desperate catch-up rugby, Wasps conceded late tries to Lacroix, O'Leary and Tulsen Tollett, as Harlequins' supporters were left in ecstasy.

Wasps' misery was compounded with the sight of centre Rob Henderson being stretched off with a groin injury which rules him out of Ireland's clash with Italy this weekend.

The question is whether Melville has to go into the transfer market for a replacement centre, with England men Nick Greenstock and Damian Hopley also on the casualty list.

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