Dallaglio's warning after shock loss

Lawrence Dallaglio, the Wasps captain, gave his players a stark warning in the aftermath of their 14-9 Heineken Cup home defeat by the Celtic Warriors.

He told them: "We cannot afford to lose another game in this competition."

Dallaglio saw his in-form Wasps side out-fought by a Warriors side boasting five members of the Welsh team that gave England a shock in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup in Brisbane.

Wasps were unable to respond with the kind of control they normally exert in matches and there are now real question marks over their ability to win the Heineken Cup. "This is a real test of character and we will demonstrate that we do have the strength of character required for the Cup," added Dallaglio. "Tactically and technically we were a bit poor, but it's not over in terms of the group."

The Pool 6 result at Wycombe means that Perpignan, Wasps and the Warriors are all on 10 points. That makes the return clash with the Warriors at Bridgend on Friday night hugely important if Wasps are to top the pool and gain home advantage in the quarter-finals.

"I think the result was a big surprise to a lot of people," said Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland, whose side had not lost in any competition for over two months before the European clash.

"Now we have to win next week at Bridgend, beat Calvisano and perhaps the decider will be against Perpignan away."

All of Wasps' points came from the boot of Alex King while his opposite number Ceri Sweeney matched his efforts and helped set up the decisive try of the afternoon. However, video footage of the 74thminute score by Tongan winger Aisea Havili has since put the legitimacy of the touchdown in question.

Meanwhile, Harlequins romped to a 43-8 Parker Pen Challenge Cup win in Montauban but it was tougher for London Irish who had to battle to establish a 20-13 advantage before heading to Narbonne for the second leg in a week's time. Saracens gave themselves a great chance of reaching the last eight by taking a 37-6 lead against Glasgow at home yesterday.