New-found grit puts Wasps in contention

Wasps centre Chris Bell insists his side are no longer push-overs and reckons they now have a squad capable of slugging it out against the best.
Last week's stunning 20-16 victory over Premiership champions Northampton marked the Londoners down as a serious top four threat.
And with Bell commanding a defensive unit that refuses to budge an inch, the teak-tough Plymothian believes there is more to come.
He told The Rugby Paper: “The first two weeks of the season saw us come up against Saracens and Northampton – two immensely physical teams.
“They tried to impose themselves but we went toe-to-toe and you have to. The Premiership is a very tough, very attritional league and there are some really big men around, so you have to get your head on and confront that physicality.
“The challenge for us is to do it the week after and the week after that, but we've got a big enough squad to absorb bumps and bruises and not be bullied.
“All our new players are top boys who've bought into the club and the way we do things. Some of the senior and older players in the group have explained what is expected and what they have to deliver and they've come in and given bucket loads.
“You saw against Northampton that there's some fantastic talent in our squad and we want to get better individually and collectively.
“There are lots of young players in this team that have got high goals and we want them to achieve that. As a collective, we want to get individuals like Christian Wade and Elliot Daly on the ball so people above can see what they are doing.
“We're starting to lay down markers. We've had some big days since I've been here but they've been one-offs and we haven't backed them up, but we're starting to string some decent performances together now and want to keep improving.”
Bell is one of English rugby's unsung heroes, having made his Premiership debut for Harlequins against Bristol as long ago as September 2001.
He has competed in every Premiership season since then, with only ex-England men Louis Deacon, Charlie Hodgson and Mark Cueto achieving greater continuous service in the division.
International honours have eluded Bell during his lengthy career with Quins, Leeds, Sale and now Wasps, but his desire to put his body on the line remains intact and, at 31, he feels he has many more years left on the clock.
“I don't look that old, do I?” Bell jokes. “I'm really enjoying it and I'll play for as long as I can and for as long as I'm wanted or needed. I'm really enthused by the youngsters in this squad and I'm constantly trying to beat Tom Varndell in races in training, which I don't often do.
“As for as international honours, it is what it is and I've been around long enough to accept it's just not happened for me. I'm just fully focussed on being the best player I can be for Wasps and trying to lead the team as well as I can.
“I work hard with Brad Davis, our defensive coach, and No.12 has to be the pillar of the defensive line. I enjoy tackling and it's something I take pride in.”
Wasps are back in Europe's top competition for the first time in six seasons and Bell adds: “We want to be playing big teams on those big occasions. We want to prove our big victories are not just a flash in the pan.”
NEALE HARVEY