LONDON, 16 January 2005 — Holders Wasps went out of the Heineken Cup when they were beaten 18-15 by Biarritz in France yesterday and two-times champions Leicester are likely to follow them despite thrashing Calvisano 62-10 in Italy.
Biarritz, who stunned Leicester by beating them at Welford Road last week, secured top spot in Pool One on 22 points.
Leicester are second on 19 points and need the results in Pool Five to go their way today to clinch the one remaining place as the best runners-up.
Munster also went through with an 18-10 victory over Harlequins in Pool Four.
Wasps, who looked down and out when they lost back-to-back games against Leicester in December, knew they could win the group with a four-try victory in France.
The Londoners got a good start with a try for Ayoola Erinle but Imanol Harinordoquy hit back for Biarritz and the teams reached halftime level at 8-8.
The French side then surged clear with a try by Jimmy Marlu and the boot of Dimitri Yachvili. Wasps battered the home line in the late stages, Tim Payne going over, but it was nowhere near enough to save themselves or spoil Biarratz’s day.
Leicester did all they could in their game, running in 10 tries, but last week’s shock home defeat looks likely to cost them a place in the last eight.
Munster clinched their place in the quarterfinals for the seventh successive season when their victory over Harlequins at Twickenham cemented their place at the top of Pool Four on 22 points.
