Wasps turn on the power to overwhelm Biarritz

European Cup Round-up: Wasps began their European Cup defence with a solid 25-12 victory over Biarritz in Pool One yesterday, the London club turning on the power in the second half to overwhelm last season's semi-finalists.

Wasps, enjoying a rich run of form in the Premiership after a sticky start, trailed 12-9 to the French after a tense first half.

They edged clear, however, via the kicking of Mark van Gisbergen and Alex King before scoring the game's only try through England flanker Joe Worsley.

Tom Voyce was denied after only four minutes when the video referee spotted his foot grazing the touchline as the England wing stretched for the left corner.

In a pool of impossibly slender margins, there was also the added bonus of keeping the French tryless, which may prove useful when the qualification maths are being pored over in the new year.

Also yesterday, Glasgow lost 13-9 at home to Northampton in Pool Three.

In the other game in Pool One, on Saturday, Leicester thumped Italian outsiders Calvisano 37-6 as England flanker Lewis Moody made a satisfying return after an 11-month injury lay-off by scoring two tries.

Scrumhalf Harry Ellis also grabbed two tries and Seru Rabeni also touched down.

The best game of the weekend was probably in Paris where Stade Francais edged out Gloucester 39-31 in a Pool Six match containing eight tries on Saturday.

Gloucester led 11-10 at the break but the French champions surged clear with two second-half tries by Sylvain Marconnet and one for Mirco Bergamasco before Gloucester hit back with two late tries by James Simpson-Daniel.

The only consolation for Gloucester was a solid return to action by England prop Phil Vickery.

Saturday's programme was heavily affected by atrocious weather as constant rain turned several games into wars of attrition. That was certainly the case in south Wales where Newcastle, without injured England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson, beat Newport-Gwent 10-6 in Pool Five.