WASPS were confirmed as favourites to qualify from Pool 6 of the Heineken Cup, and make the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007 after Toulouse faltered again, at home.
Even though Toulouse beat the Dragons 17-3 they missed a crucial bonus point, which means that Wasps can head the group by beating Glasgow on Sunday and then earning any sort of victory at home to Toulouse next Sunday, in what has become a winner takes all clash.
Rugby World has long tipped Wasps to top this pool and nothing changed with yesterday’s 14-point victory for Toulouse.
Since Toulouse beat Wasps at home in the opening round they have stumbled through the qualification, culminating in their unconvincing victory over a spirited Dragons side in southern France.
It was champions’ Toulouse’s 11th Heineken Cup 11 wins in a row but the Dragons leave France with their heads held high.
In Toulouse, Jason Tovey missed the opportunity to put the Dragons ahead with an early penalty attempt just before Toulouse captain Thierry Dusautoir crossed for the afternoon’s opening try. Fly-half David Skrela missed the chance on offer for the extra two points.
With large parts of the game being played in the midfield it took a further twenty minutes before any other score. France wing Vincent Clerc touched down as half time approached and again Skrela couldn’t add to the score, missing the conversion.
On the stroke of half-time Tovey opened the Dragons account with a penalty to take the scores to 10 – 3 at the break.
The Dragons fought hard throughout the second period and absorbed phase after phase thrown at them from Toulouse.
The French side battled their way towards the line but just couldn’t find the final pass on numerous occasions.
On top at the set-piece the French forwards finally got the try they deserved with just ten minutes remaining, Dusautoir grabbing his second from his position at the back of a fierce rolling maul.
Ends