Danny Cipriani shines as Kiwi role beckons

Wasps outside-half Danny Cipriani masterminded the 40-29 destruction of Saracens and then discovered England rival Jonny Wilkinson will miss the tour of New Zealand due to surgery.

Wilkinson is to undergo an operation to clear debris from his shoulder, which means Cipriani should be the clear first-choice England No10 for the two Tests against the All Blacks.

That much was obvious to anyone witnessing his outstanding performance against Heineken Cup semi-finallists Sarries.

Ian McGeechan, the Wasps director of rugby, was delighted with an eighth successive win that lifts them into third place in the Premiership, and said: "All the time we've looked at the fourth play-off place to see how close we were and to make sure we were there or thereabouts coming into this last month of the season.

"It's in our hands, and the players know that, but they've got another three games in six days to come and that's a big ask."

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney warned his side they will have to improve ahead of their Euro showdown against Munster.

He said: "The first 40 minutes against Wasps were close to the most embarrassing I have been involved in. And Munster punish sides more than anybody I have seen. We have to make them play and earn the points they score against us, not for us to concede them through mistakes."

London Irish defeated Harlequins 13-6 ahead of their own Cup semi-final with Toulouse, leaving Quins with a tough battle to remain in the top four.

Dean Richards, their director of rugby, said: "That bonus point was vital. It would have been harsh if we didn't get anything out of the game but I think Irish deserved to win."