Dallaglio wrecks Johnson's farewell

LONDON - Martin Johnson's rugby career ended in bitter disappointment on Saturday as Lawrence Dallaglio's Wasps destroyed Leicester 39-14 to win the English Premiership final for the third time in a row.

Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup winning captain, was totally overshadowed as Wasps, with Dallaglio to the fore, grabbed the spoils at Twickenham.

Full back Mark van Gisbergen scored a try, five penalties and three conversions for 26 points.

Dallaglio praised Johnson as a rugby great after the game but said he had been inspired by the critics writing his side off.

"All I heard this week was Leicester, Leicester, Leicester, and it kind of gets to you a bit," the back-rower told Sky Sports. "People should know our pedigree by now."

Wasps stormed into a 13-0 lead after just eight minutes and were never headed as Leicester struggled to find any rhythm against their opponents' pressing defence and powerful running.

Van Gisbergen kicked a penalty after two minutes when Leicester failed to roll away from a ruck and winger Tom Voyce was soon galloping away for an unopposed try from his own half after a crunching Dallaglio tackle on centre Ollie Smith.

The conversion followed and Alex King then added a cool drop goal. Andy Goode reduced the deficit with two penalties only for Wasps to pull away again through van Gisbergen's boot and lead 19-6 at the break.

Leicester were lucky to still have 15 men on the pitch after former England flanker Neil Back, another man playing his last club game, escaped censure despite lashing out in frustration at Joe Worsley and splitting open his lip.

Johnson's men, who had beaten Wasps in three previous meetings this season, needed to hit back quickly but their captain blundered after the restart with a high tackle on halfback Matt Dawson, allowing van Gisbergen to slot another penalty.

Leicester made it 22-9 but Wasps, with the rampaging Dallaglio leading by example, continued to dominate.

The game ended in a flurry of tries, one for Leicester and two for Wasps, the best when van Gisbergen crossed after lock Simon Shaw burst through the middle before popping up the perfect pass.

"They got the momentum straight away and we did not take our chances," Johnson said. "Don't feel sorry for us, they deserved to win. We have to stand up and say they were the better team.

"It's a nasty feeling, because we don't feel like we played."

The victory was particularly sweet for Wasps coach Warren Gatland, who is returning home to New Zealand.

Saracens, who finished third in the league, beat Gloucester 24-16 in the wildcard final earlier on Saturday at Twickenham to claim a place in next year's Heineken Cup.

- REUTERS