Dallaglio: Calls for more

The next four or five games will define our season. We'll step up the intensity and these are the games we are looking forward to.

Lawrence Dallaglio
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Lawrence Dallaglio says Wasps must be more clinical if they are to successfully defend the Heineken Cup.

The veteran number eight, who called time on his England career on Thursday, captained Wasps to a 25-17 win over Leeds Carnegie on Saturday.

But having led 25-3 against the Guinness Premiership's bottom team with half an hour remaining the Londoners would have expected to take a bonus point from the game.

They continue the defence of their European title at home to Llanelli Scarlets next and, having lost away to Clermont Auvergne in the competition, cannot afford another slip-up.

Crucial

Dallaglio's side then travel to Munster for the final pool game before visiting Premiership leaders Gloucester on January 26 and the 35-year-old admits his team is entering a vital phase of their season.

"Mentally we have got to look at why we seem to be relaxing," he said.

"Casual, I think, is the word. We concede some sloppy tries and find ourselves under pressure.

"But it will keep our heads down in training this week for what is going to be a very tough game next Sunday.

"The next four or five games will define our season. We'll step up the intensity and these are the games we are looking forward to."

Defiance

Leeds director of rugby Stuart Lancaster remains defiant meanwhile, despite seeing his side slump to their ninth defeat in 10 league games.

"I take a huge amount from that performance," he commented. "We've come down to the European champions, they have picked an extremely strong side and we have come close to winning the game.

"If we keep working hard and believing in ourselves it will come right and we are a long way from the end of the season. We've emerged from the last three games with credit, but the trick is that we have to convert credit into points.

"We have a huge amount to be positive about though. I thought all our replacements made a big impact in the game. In the second half we dominated field position and gave Wasps a hard time."

Leeds get a break from the rigours of the league next though when they face Dax in the European Challenge Cup on Friday.