Lawrence Dallaglio's Wasps are within a point of becoming Courage League champions after a ruthless demolition of gifted Sale at Loftus Road. Wasps scored 25 points in 18 minutes spanning half-time to win 36-10 and now need only a draw from one of their matches against Northampton and Harle-quins over the next two weekends.
Kenny Logan, Wasps' crucial buy from Scotland, scored the try that opened the gap.
Nigel Melville, Wasps' rugby director, last night singled out threequarters Rob Henderson and Logan as key men in the club's march towards the title. Irishman Henderson also shared in the tries scored by all the Wasps threequarters.
Melville said: "The recruitment of Henderson and Logan for the second half of the season has been an important factor. They know where the try-line is and they score when they see it."
He shrugged off recent criticism that his side were boring by saying: "We are not flash championship contenders that people expect title-potential teams to be, but we have lost very few games.
"We make huge amounts of tackles -127 in 80 minutes - and that statistic shows why we confined Sale to a single try."
Former England player Dewi Morris, Sale's scrum-half, said: "They dictated the play magnificently during the middle of the match. I hope they become champions. They deserve it.''
Meanwhile, coaches Francois Pienaar and Mark Evans will be summoned to a clear-the-air meeting today as troubled Saracens contemplate their costly European failure. Saturday's 22-18 defeat at Leicester means the wealthy London club cannot secure a prized top-four finish.
Owner Nigel Wray, who bought Saracens for #2m 18 months ago before bankrolling the six-figure signings of Pienaar, Michael Lynagh, and Philippe Sella, is certain to demand answers.
While Saracens slipped away, rivals Harlequins leapfrogged Sale to keep alive strong European claims with an impressive 27-11 victory over Gloucester at Kinsgholm. It was Gloucester's first home league defeat since September 21 when Bath beat them 45-29, but Quins were comfortable winners as fly-half Thierry Lacroix collected 17 points, including a crucial try.
Orrell's 40-14 defeat by Bath confirmed their relegation, ending a 10-year stay in the top flight, while only a mathematical miracle can keep West Hartlepool afloat after Northampton romped home 57-17 at Brierton Lane.
Bath, who still have an outside title chance, scored six tries, but coach Andy Robinson spent the post-match news conference playing down speculation surrounding full-back Jon Callard and prop John Mallett.
Northampton dismissed any lingering relegation play-off fears through touchdowns from Gregor Townsend (2), Justyn Cassell (2), Matt Allen (2), Dave Merlin, Harvey Thorneycroft and Nick Beal, with fly-half Alistair Hepher kicking six conversions.
London Irish staged a remarkable fightback at Bristol, winning 38-26 after trailing by eight five points just five minutes from time. Fly-half David Humphreys (2) and wing Ray Hennessey claimed the decisive scores for an unlikely triumph to follow recent successes against Harlequins and Leicester.
Richmond's 55-22 victory over Wakefield on Saturday means they can lift the second division championship by beating relegated Nottingham next weekend.
Newcastle stayed on course for automatic promotion through a thumping 45-21 triumph over Rotherham, but Bedford came unstuck 28-14 against London Scottish, a poor result before facing Coventry later this week.
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