South African star Willie Le Roux was among the try-scorers for Wasps. AFP/File/ANESH DEBIKY
Le Roux, Juan de Jongh, Marcus Watson and Georgian prop Zurab Zhvania touched down for the visitors as they stormed back from being 12-0 down after 30 minutes to inflict Exeter’s first home defeat in over a year.
Victory lifted them to three points off Harlequins, who occupy the fourth and final play-off spot with three games of the regular season remaining.
Adding spice to that is they play each other in the final game of the season — though others like Bath, Sale and Northampton are in the mix too.
Exeter — who have assured themselves of a home play-off — still top the table due to Saracens’ surprise 23-21 loss to Bristol on Saturday.
Bristol’s achievement was overshadowed by the boos that rang out every time Saracens star Billy Vunipola touched the ball after coming on as a replacement.
The England No. 8 was jeered due to his refusal to back down from supporting Australian rugby star Israel Folau’s Instagram post saying homosexuals were bound for hell — Folau faces the sack, while Vunipola has a date with English rugby chiefs.
“He (Vunipola) is a human being and I am sure there is stuff going on in his head,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.
“The club have made a clear statement (they are to deal with him internally) and we have not sat down with him yet. I will talk to him myself.”
Down at the wrong end of the table it was a terrible weekend for Newcastle, who have gone from being the equivalent of a blockbuster last term to a disappointing sequel this season.
Their 27-22 loss at home to Leicester on Friday eased the relegation fears of their opponents and wins for Worcester — a stunning 39-17 thumping of Sale — and Bristol on Saturday leaves them seven points adrift of Worcester.
