Rugby Union: Wasps' forward planning works wonders

Saracens 15 Wasps 28

There was a wisdom in Wasps' decision earlier this season to play every game as scheduled where possible, and where it was not to rearrange it as quickly as they could. This has left the Courage League leaders without the sort of back-to-back finish that looks to have cost Leicester and others any realistic chance of the title.

They now have a week to prepare for their next match, while Sale, their opponents next weekend, are already having to focus on Saracens on Tuesday.

No wonder Wasps' captain, Lawrence Dallaglio, is renewing his call for a trimming of League One. "Eight clubs is probably the level everyone wants to see," said the England and Lions flanker after leading his side to a hard-earned, tackle-filled win at Enfield, which robbed Saracens of their unbeaten home record in League and Cup this season and left both sides drained. "You need a Super League of eight clubs and then you will be looking at quality matches every single week."

That reduction would also, Dallaglio believes, concentrate the England players into fewer clubs and perhaps lead to actual units playing alongside each other. It might also mean fewer overseas players in key positions at top clubs, another issue addressed by a voluble Dallaglio.

"It's all very well having money, but it needs to be spent wisely. We've brought in players such as Gareth Rees, Chris Sheasby and Kenny Logan, and we have also brought on the home grown talent."

In addition to these three, who between them scored all Wasps' points on Saturday, they have nurtured the likes of Alex King, Nick Greenstock, Andy Gomarsall and Shane Roiser.

Saracens: Tries Diprose, Botterman; Conversion Lee; Penalty Lee. Wasps: Tries Logan 2, Sheasby; Conversions Rees 2; Penalties Rees 3.

Saracens: A Tunningley; K Chesney, P Sella, S Ravenscroft, R Wallace; A Lee, K Bracken; T Daly, G Botterman, P Wallace, P Johns (C Yandell, 73), T Copsey, F Pienaar, T Diprose (capt), R Hill.

Wasps: G Rees; S Roiser, N Greenstock, R Henderson, K Logan; A King, A Gomarsall; D Molloy, S Mitchell (K Dunn, 73), W Green, M Greenwood (D Cronin, 73), A Reed, L Dallaglio (capt), C Sheasby, B White.

Referee: S Lander (Liverpool).