WASPS ended their home campaign with a disappointing 16-7 defeat to Sale Sharks to leave their European Champions Cup hopes hanging in the balance.
Lee Blackett’s side lacked their usual fluidity as Gabriel Oghre crossed for Wasps only try in the first half before Sale registered 16 unanswered points to inflict a damaging defeat at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The result leaves Wasps in ninth place in the Gallagher Premiership table and means only a win on the final day of the season will secure Champions Cup rugby next season.
Blackett’s side scored the game’s first try on 22 minutes when Oghre touched down from a powerful maul with Jimmy Gopperth adding the extras.
Sale responded with two penalties from the boot of Robert du Preez to reduce Wasps’ lead to a single point at the break in a low-scoring affair.
And the Sharks eventually found a way through on 45 minutes when Akker van der Merwe dotted down on the line with du Preez converting after Wasps had Alfie Barbeary sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on.
The visitors extended their lead through another du Preez penalty before Gopperth’s last gasp attempt from just inside the Sale half fell agonisingly short of the posts as Wasps failed to rescue a losing bonus point.
Defeat also brought an end to Wasps eight-game winning run on home soil in all competitions.
Wasps finish their Premiership campaign away at Leicester Tigers on Saturday, June 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Welford Road.
