Jimmy Gopperth’s last-ditch conversion completed a stunning comeback as Wasps beat English rivals Exeter Chiefs 25-24 in a thrilling European Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Two-time European champions Wasps were 24-11 behind early in the second half but staged a dramatic rally, with New Zealand full-back Charles Piutau scoring two tries.
The second of those left Gopperth with a touchline conversion to win the match with the last kick of the game and Piutau’s fellow Kiwi made no mistake with the difficult kick.
Wasps will now face the winners of Saturday’s second all-English quarter-final between Premiership leaders Saracens and Northampton Saints in the last four.
Gopperth kicked two early penalties to give home side Wasps a 6-0 lead in Coventry.
But Exeter hit back when former England No 8 Thomas Waldrom scored two tries in quick succession.
The first was a typical loose forward’s score, with Waldrom driven over from close range just after the half-hour mark.
But the second saw Waldrom pick off a stray pass and charge in from 30 metres out, the back-row sliding in for his 19th try of the season in all competitions.
Gareth Steenson converted both scores and Exeter led 14-6 at half-time.
Wasps, however, responded with a try at the start of the second half when, at a rain-sodden Ricoh Arena, Piutau raced on to a well-weighted grubber kick from Dan Robson.
Gopperth missed the difficult conversion but Exeter’s lead had been cut to three points at 14-11.
Exeter’s forwards were still proving a powerful force though and prop Harry Williams was driven over for the south-west side’s third try in the 48th minute.
Steenson converted and former England lock Geoff Parling almost had another try but his effort was ruled out for a forward pass.
Steenson though nudged Exeter further in front with a penalty to make it 24-11.
Frank Halai started Wasps’ late fightback with a 65th-minute try converted by Gopperth.
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