DAI Young has described Wasps’ 20-20 draw in Toulouse as two points gained after snatching a late draw at the Stade Ernest Wallon in their second European Champions Cup fixture.
Last season Jimmy Gopperth kicked Wasps into the semi-final of the competition and this time around he had a big role to play again as his late conversion earned Young’s side a draw in France on Sunday.
The home side dominated the opening 40 minutes of the match but to Wasps’ credit they were still in the match by the midway point at 6-6 with Gopperth landing two penalties.
Toulouse moved 13-6 in front before a Josh Bassett try, converted by Gopperth, got the visitors back on level terms but with 12 minutes left on the clock their opponents moved seven points in front again.
With just two minutes left Nathan Hughes powered his way over near the corner and despite the enormous pressure on Gopperth’s shoulders, the Wasps man landed the conversion to earn the visitors a share of the points.
“In pressure situations Jimmy has shown time and again what he can do, and I thought he had a good game at fullback,” said Young.
“He looked really energetic, gave us some good yards kicking from behind and showed what a quality player he is.
“He can do a good job in a number of positions, but the most important thing is that when we get a pressure kick my money is on Jimmy every time.
“For us it was two points gained, whereas Toulouse will probably look at it as two points lost. We’ve made a good start in the competition, but it doesn’t put us in the Quarter Finals, as there’s lots of rugby to be played.
“Two years ago we lost the first two games and still went through, so there’s no reason why other teams can’t do that too. We’ve just got to work harder and those two back-to-back games with Connacht are massive now.”
