Rugby – Pre-season friendly matches:Munster were denied in a close encounter against Leicester Tigers at Musgrave Park while Leinster were outplayed by London Wasps at Donnybrook in tonight's pre-season friendlies.
Leinster went down 41-6 against the Wasps who ran in five second half tries.
The visitors got off to a dream start after three minutes when England wing Tom Varndell evaded several tackles out wide to race clear and score. Dave Walder's conversion attempt fell wide and the early deficit sprung the hosts, skippered by the returning Sean O'Brien, into life.
Leinster rallied and eventually after the best part of 30 minutes some fine play by Luke Fitzgerald led to Ian Madigan's first kick at goal. The former Ireland Under-20 out-half slotted the kick home to make it 5-3 to the visitors.
A 39th minute strike by Madigan then made it 6-5 to Leinster before an injury time kick by Walder regained the Wasps advantage to make it 8-6 at the interval.
However Leinster were exposed in the second half as the floodgates opened and the Wasps came away with a comfortable win.
In Cork two tries, one in each half from Alesana Tuilagi, helped Leicester Tigers to a 17-13 win over Munster.
Paul Warwick thumped over a 15th minute penalty from the half way line before Tuilagi scored his first try in the 35th minute.
A block down by Denis Leamy resulted in Munster taking the lead when the skipper won the race for the touch down and Warwick added the extras.
That score however led to a bout of sustained effort from the near full strength visitors and they regained the lead when Tuilagi forced his way over for his second try of the night.
Coach Tony McGahan rang the changes introducing his youngsters from the bench and that led to an exciting finish as Munster took the fight to Tigers who were forced to defend a late five-metre lineout to secure their victory.