WHILE last weekend’s narrow loss to Quins was a bitter pill to swallow, it perfectly highlighted the next stage in the development process at Wasps.

Harlequins played badly and won, and their three narrow victories against Wasps measures up nicely to their one narrow defeat to the black and golds.

It’s not necessarily that they’re a better outfit, just a little more streetwise. It’s something Wasps under Lawrence Dallaglio knew all about.

Dai Young said: “Winning those games is the next stage and we’re not a million miles away from turning these narrow losses into wins.

“But we’re still not that comfortable in tight situations and need to display far more composure and patience and a little bit more belief at the end that we can see games out and don’t need to panic.

“We’re improving our squad, which will help us take that next step, but the big thing is we’ve got the consistency factor and are pushing those teams all the way now.

“In my first season you could highlight one or two good performances, now you highlight one or two bad performances. We’re consistent and just as strong away from home as we are at home.

“We’re growing as a team and will only get better.”