Wasps 29 Gloucester 26: Voyce fires up Wasps as Gatland nears Wales job

Warren Gatland is on the verge of accepting an offer to become the Wales head coach following two days of talks with the Welsh Rugby Union. Gatland was at his old stamping ground of High Wycombe to watch Wasps pull off a dramatic EDF Energy Cup victory over Gloucester yesterday and revealed: "Nothing is finalised, but we are fairly close. We have a few things to work out. They are keen to have me and I am very interested in the job."

Gatland, the current Waikato coach, added: "I've spent two days there in talks. The challenge is appealing. I hope to have made my mind up before I return to New Zealand next week. I have a few things to discuss with my family."

Gatland could not have chosen a better EDF Energy Cup tie to watch as Wasps snatched a late win after trailing for almost 80 minutes of this lively match.

Two tries by the replacement back-row forward James Haskell and the clincher, in the final minute of normal time, by the left-wing Tom Voyce shattered Gloucester, turned around a 26-8 deficit and kept alive Wasps' hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of the tournament.

But two things happened to set up Gloucester for the fall. The first was the introduction of Haskell, who has two England caps, from the bench, the second was the unnecessary use of the boot by the Cherry and Whites captain Peter Buxton, for which he was sent to the sin-bin. And while the Gloucester captain was away, Wasps began to play.

The forwards, well-marshalled by another replacement Raphael Ibañez, the France hooker, rumbled upfield, swatting aside the 14-man opposition and were eventually able to use the position to get Haskell over in the 67th minute.

Five minutes later the powerful 22-year-old was sent in from close range for his second try following a well-rehearsed lineout move. Then came the crowning moment. Voyce rounded off another intensive spell of Wasps pressure with his second touchdown and the home team kept out the red-shirted hordes with a certain amount of ease.

For pretty much an hour though Gloucester had been in charge. Tries through scrum-half Rory Lawson, hooker Olivier Azam, fullback Olly Morgan and right wing Iain Balshaw – three of which were converted by the tricky fly-half Ryan Lamb – had filled them with confidence. But if Gloucester had cared to take note the warning signs were there early on when Paul Sackey burst clear and got over the Gloucester line, only to be called back for an infringement.

The win left the Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio, who was replaced after 62 minutes, smiling as well.

"I have spent the week on the back foot," he said, referring to the furore surrounding his autobiography, "then I spent 60 minutes on the back foot out there, so it is great to get the win."

Wasps: Tries Voyce 2, Haskell 2; Conversions Cipriani 3; Penalty Cipriani.

Gloucester: Tries Lawson, Azam, Morgan, Balshaw; Conversions Lamb 3.

Wasps: D Cipriani; P Sackey, F Waters, R Hoadley, T Voyce; R Flutey (M van Gisbergen, 52), E Reddan (S Amor, 68); T Payne, J Ward (R Ibanez, 62), N Adams (M Holford, 30-36), G Skivington, R Birkett (J Hart, 28-38), D Leo (J Haskell, 52), T Rees, L Dallaglio (capt; J Hart, 62).

Gloucester: O Morgan; I Balshaw, J Simpson-Daniel, A Allen, M Foster (L Vainikolo, 56); R Lamb (C Paterson, 71), R Lawson; N Wood, O Azam (A Titterrell, 52), C Nieto, P Buxton (capt), A Brown , A Strokosch, A Qera (W James, h-t), L Narraway (G Delve, 65).

Referee: W Barnes (London).