LV= Cup: Backs coach Stephen Jones praises Wasps after win over London Irish

Wasps backs coach Stephen Jones was left purring over the performances of the powerful pack and young fly-half Alex Lozowski in the 43-22 LV= Cup victory over London Irish at Adams Park.

The home side grabbed a try bonus point in the process to put them in the hunt for semi-final qualification with Leicester Tigers at the top of pool three.

Irish had no answer to the Wasps forwards at the set-piece and were made to pay dearly for mistakes by stand-off Lozowski, who not only scored 22 points with his boot through five penalties and four conversions, but also started the move when led to the final touchdown for his side

All week the energy and commitment the boys gave us in training was top draw. There was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about today. You could see that with the way they played. When somebody did something well, everyone were coming around to tap him on the back and acknowledge it.

Jones said of Lozowski: "He deserves a lot of credit. It was his second game back after five weeks out with an injury and for him to perform as he did, kick as well as he did and manage the pitch, was satisfying.

"What was also satisfying was that the forwards gave us a wonderful platform and you have to make the most of that, which he did.

"I am very happy to have the bonus point today and for so many of the guys to put in good performances. There were a lot of positives to take away from today."

Jones added: "The forwards were very good. That certainly puts a smile on our faces.

"All week the energy and commitment the boys gave us in training was top draw. There was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about today. You could see that with the way they played. When somebody did something well, everyone were coming around to tap him on the back and acknowledge it."

Young talent

For Irish, it was more about giving their young talent some game experience at the top level, as forwards coach Glenn Delaney explained.

"We were able to bring youngsters into the side and give them starts against a very competitive pro club with good players and that is how they learn. You have to put them in these situations. They all did well," he said.

"We were in the contest at half-time and we scored a good try which got us back into it. It was nip and tuck up to 20 minutes to go, which is when the scoreline told on us a bit.

"The key area was that the scrum was not performing for us in that back half, so that is a learning curve for those fellows. Sometimes learning is not about good experiences, but things you want to forget.

"We defended very well, took our chances in attack and posed some questions. We worked on things during the week and we achieved what we wanted, but that scrum platform did not help us today."