Southwell and Waldouck star as Wasps keep up momentum
WASPS (38) vs ROVIGO (7)
SUMMER signing Hugo Southwell opened his Wasps account with a hat-trick as the Londoners eased to an Amlin Challenge Cup victory but it was centre Dominic Waldouck who caught boss Dai Young’s eye.
Further tries from Sakaria Taulafo and Richard Haughton earned Wasps a bonus point as they followed up last week’s defeat of Bordeaux-Begles with an even more emphatic Pool 3 triumph.
An upset looked on the cards when Rovigo winger Riccardo Pavan crossed to give the Italian outfit a surprise early advantage, but Wasps hit back with clinical finishing from Scotland full-back Southwell.
Prompting him was centre Waldouck, who yesterday showed signs of the form that earned him an England call-up before ankle and Achilles injuries halted his promising emergence.
“He’s had a real nasty injury. He’s probably not where he was by his own admission, but he’s working his socks off to get there,” said director of rugby Young.
“He’s only going to get better with every game and I thought he showed good touches out there and he’s going to be a positive player for us as the season goes on.”
The highlight of Waldouck’s 60-minute display was a break through the centre to set up Southwell (left) to complete his hat-trick.