Wasps 22-16 Leicester: Tigers fightback falls short at Ricoh Arena

Christian Wade celebrates scoring Wasps' first try

England flanker James Haskell's comeback from injury lasted barely a minute as Wasps reclaimed top spot in the Aviva Premiership after holding off a fierce Leicester fightback to secure a 22-16 win.

Haskell, sidelined since suffering a toe injury during England's successful tour of Australia last summer, appeared as a second-half substitute but he was forced off almost immediately following a tackle on Freddie Burns.

Wasps later confirmed that he took a bang to the head so had to come off because of concussion protocols - but he may be back next week.

Wasps, 19-0 up before half-time courtesy of tries by Christian Wade, Tommy Taylor and Dan Robson, found themselves hanging on as Leicester began life after Richard Cockerill by responding superbly in front of a 27,930 Ricoh Arena crowd.

Cockerill lost his job as rugby director last Monday, with head coach Aaron Mauger taking interim charge, and the New Zealander will have been thrilled by Tigers' second-half response.

James Haskell was forced off less than a minute after making his comeback from injury

Centre Peter Betham scored a try with Owen Williams adding two penalties, while Burns slotted a penalty and conversion before Wasps edged a gripping encounter through a late Jimmy Gopperth penalty immediately after a yellow card for Tigers prop Dan Cole to see Wasps home.

Wasps, protecting an unbeaten 10-match run at the Ricoh Arena, rocked Leicester back on their heels by scoring two tries inside the opening 10 minutes.

Wade pounced for the first, capitalising on hesitancy in the Leicester defence to finish in trademark poacher's fashion, with Gopperth converting, then Wasps displayed impressive forward power after lock James Gaskell won lineout possession five metres out and Taylor was driven over.

Wade reacts quickest to scores Wasps' first try

Leicester spent almost the entire opening quarter in defensive mode, although there were glimpses of what they could do with quality ball, but just when it looked as though Tigers might have found a way back, Wasps struck again.

And their third try came after a brilliant move sparked by Wales Six Nations squad hopeful Thomas Young, who ran from inside his own half and found wing Josh Bassett in support before Robson applied an effortless finishing touch, sniping over from close range.

Gopperth's conversion made it 19-0 and although a Williams penalty belatedly opened Leicester's account, there was no disguising Wasps' overall control and supremacy.

Dan Robson dives over for Wasps' third try

A second Williams penalty shortly after the break doubled Leicester's points tally but it proved to be the Welshman's final scoring act as he left the field injured just five minutes later.

Leicester enjoyed a degree of control and territorial dominance during the third quarter, with prop Ellis Genge and lock Ed Slater prominent, yet the Wasps defence did not appear unduly troubled until a brilliant piece of skill by Brady set up a golden opportunity.

And the Leicester forwards did not require a second invitation to capitalise, setting up a quality platform from which Betham prospered, claiming a touchdown that referee Craig Maxwell-Keys awarded following consultation with television match official Stuart Terheege.

Burns kicked the conversion and the game grew increasingly fractious up-front as Wasps - 19 points up after 35 minutes - continued to see that healthy advantage eroded.

Haskell made his long-awaited return to action with 18 minutes left but it proved a short-lived stay as he went down after tackling Burns and then departed for further assessment.

A Burns penalty brought Leicester back to within striking distance, but Gopperth had the final say following Cole's sin-binning and Wasps moved back on top of the Premiership, three points above second-placed Saracens.