Something strange is happening at Wasps. For years they have started the season with all the vitality of drowsy snails and sparked into life only once the New Year celebrations have quietened down.
This time, under the control of their new director of rugby, the New Zealander Tony Hanks, they have reeled off three wins and sit confidently on top of the Premiership table, albeit on points difference from Saracens. Either they are peaking too early or the worm has belatedly turned.
Hanks reckons a long and punishing pre-season has made a big difference, and fitness certainly played its part in today's dour suffocation of a Worcester team who had arrived in High Wycombe with lofty expectations. For lengthy periods it was not a pretty sight but the work rate of the flanker Serge Betsen and a versatile all-round performance from Dominic Waldouck made up for it. Given that Waldouck was only a late inclusion at inside centre, after Steve Kefu suffered a groin injury, there was a touch of good fortune involved as well.
Good sides tend to manufacture their own luck, though, and Wasps have transformed themselves with two Lions, Simon Shaw and Phil Vickery, among eight international absentees.
Until yesterday Paul Sackey had managed just three minutes of competitive club rugby since January, after breaking his left leg in two places in the Six Nations. When Sackey put in the crunching hit on Chris Latham which led to Wasps' injury-time try, by Tom Varndell, it completed a highly satisfying personal return.
The winger's only misgivings centred on the fact that Varndell, who now has five tries in three games, is in danger of blowing him away in the scoring stakes. In truth, the former Leicester flier is simply benefiting from the more coherent game plan inside him as Wasps' coaches attempt to steer the club away from the ELV-infected season they endured last year.
"I don't think it's anything I've changed," said Hanks. "We've just worked really hard at going back to Wasps' core values. I'd also challenge anyone to have worked harder than us during the summer."
With England struggling for fit and in-form options at No12, the performance of Waldouck will have heartened the national team's backs coach, Brian Smith. The Saxons squad member, who will turn 22 later this week, was responsible for the one shimmering moment of class in an otherwise drab first half, his clean midfield break creating a deserved try for the supporting Betsen.
As Waldouck also supplied the neat cross-kick for Varndell's late score, it was a very decent day's work for Danny Cipriani's long-time friend and confidant. "In terms of carrying there's not many stronger than Dom and he can kick and pass as well," said Hanks. "I'd love to see Dom playing for England. I think he'd be fantastic."
The odds on Cipriani representing Martin Johnson's England any time soon remain rather longer and a painful blow to his right hip made this another tough character examination for the home No10. There was the odd flash of something stirring in the shape of two well-taken drop-goals and another improved defensive effort but otherwise this was an afternoon mostly dominated by wince-inducing tackles and Worcester errors.
Wasps took a firm grip on the lineout early on and with Latham having an uncharacteristically hard time under the high ball the visitors rarely displayed the necessary accuracy to awaken the snoozing scoreboard operator. With the individuals they have at their disposal, the Warriors really should achieve more but there remains a frustrating lack of creativity to set alongside their unrelenting perspiration.
Today they mauled strongly and held their own in the tight without ever really lifting the pace of their game above pedestrian. Willie Walker, appropriately enough, scored their only points with a penalty but the New Zealander missed two other efforts and also miscued a drop-goal attempt as the toil of the captain, Pat Sanderson, and his pack went unrewarded.
Last season Worcester beat Wasps home and away but this season's Premiership is unfolding rather differently. A victory this coming Sunday at London Irish, who are comfortably the most fluent attacking side in England on autumn's firm and dry pitches, will really put Wasps in the driving seat.
London Wasps Mitchell; Sackey, Jacobs, Waldouck, Varndell; Cipriani, Simpson; Payne (Beech 56), Webber (Lindsay 80), Broster (Baker 52), Skivington, Birkett, Worsley (Leo 71), Betsen (capt), Ward-Smith (Hart 60).
Tries Betsen, Varndell. Cons Cipriani 2. Pen Cipriani. Drop-goals Cipriani 2.
Worcester Latham; Garvey, Grove, Tuitupou (Gear 71), Benjamin; Walker, Powell (Arr 79); Mullan (Black 68), Fortey (Lutui 51), Taumoepeau (Gilding 74), Rawlinson (Kitchener 68), Gillies, Wood, Sanderson (capt), Horstmann (Talei 58).
Pen Walker.
Referee J P Doyle (London). Attendance 7,654.
