LEICESTER BEATS WASPS

Wasps started life without the director of rugby Tony Hanks by being defeated by Premiership leaders Leicester.

Fly-half Jeremy Staunton scored a try and kicked 11 points for the Tigers, who opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the table.

Lock forward Steve Mafi also crossed for the home side.

Wasps, who parted company with Hanks on Thursday, could only reply with four Dave Walder penalties on their way to a seventh defeat in nine games.

The Tigers may not have been at their best but their forward power, particularly number eight Thomas Waldrom and lock George Skivington, helped them to an eighth successive victory.

Wasps, with Shaun Edwards in charge, went behind to a Staunton penalty after Serge Betsen’s illegal tackle on the former Wasps man.