Shaun Edwards admits Wasps' much-vaunted blitz defence will require close attention this week as the English champions continue their quest for a fourth successive league title.

Wasps conceded 16 tries during the final three rounds of regular season Guinness Premiership action a statistic that should see play-off opponents Sale Sharks circling their prey with eager anticipation.

Gloucester's glittering 19-year-old prospects Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allen showed a star-studded Sharks back division how to do it, carving Wasps open during an epic Kingsholm encounter before a late Joe Worsley touchdown edged the Londoners home 37-32.

Wasps though, matched Gloucester 4-4 on tries and confirmed a ravenous appetite for fresh title success by fighting back from 32-20 adrift to end the west country club's play-off hopes.

"We need to sort our defence out," admitted Edwards, after seeing Gloucester claim two memorable long-range tries, while England Under 21 internationals Lamb and Allen, who scored 27 of their team's points, repeatedly caused havoc.

"I don't expect us to score four tries at Sale, but who knows? Our form has been a bit of a worry, and we can improve in defence, but there is a saying in sport that champions never quit."

While Wasps' play-off bid went down to the wire before securing fourth place, Sale finished six points clear of second-placed Leicester by beating Franklin's Gardens hosts Northampton 36-34.

Leicester, who won the Premiership four times in succession before Wasps took centre-stage, secured a home clash against London Irish by brushing aside Bristol 32-3, which included a 14th Premiership try of the season for England wing Tom Varndell.

Irish, despite trailing by 10 points early on, nailed down third spot through a 30-18 victory over Madejski Stadium visitors Saracens, but Leicester are 2-0 up in previous meetings with the Exiles this season, winning 35-3 at Welford Road last November before securing a 28-25 away verdict six weeks later.

Bath are thought to have secured their first new coaching recruit for next term in the shape of Australian Mark Blackwell.

Blackwell, currently plying his trade with French Championship club Brive, is set to replace Australia-bound Michael Foley.

But Bath could also find themselves requiring a new head coach if Brian Ashton joins the England set-up, while skills supervisor Richard Graham has left for Saracens.

Ashton continues to play a straight bat when questioned on any England role alongside Andy Robinson, claiming, "I've heard nothing" after his team wound up a disappointing Premiership campaign through edging out Recreation Ground visitors Worcester 25-22.

Leeds said farewell to the top flight by suffering a 54-19 thumping at Newcastle, where fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked six conversions as Falcons made Premiership history by parading an all-English 22.

Guinness Premiership

Bath 25, Worcester 22; Gloucester 32, Wasps 37; Leicester 32, Bristol 3; London Irish 30, Saracens 18; Newcastle 54, Leeds 19; Northampton 34, Sale 36.

  • DORSET & Wilts, with Swindon flanker Paul Daniels a half-time substitute, were beaten 43-19 by Oxfordshire in their second Tetley's County Plate match on Saturday.