Danny will be even better than Jonny, says Gatland

Gatland, who guided Wasps to the 2004 European Cup and a trio of Premiership titles before returning to New Zealand three years ago, bases his forecast on the assumption that the defending champions will be better equipped to protect Cipriani and spare him the kind of punishment aimed at Wilkinson.

He added: "Jonny's had to front up for Newcastle every week in games, where had he been at a bigger club, like Leicester or Wasps, he'd have had the opportunity to be rested and looked after a bit more.

"I've seen Jonny play games for Newcastle where he's been under the cosh. Sometimes I think: "How good could this guy have been had he played at a bigger club?" It makes a huge difference having a forward pack in front of you playing with confidence."

Llanelli would barely have been able to live with Wasps' pace had they been at full strength, never mind ravaged by the absence of as many as nine internationals, among them Wales half backs Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel. No amount of sympathy, however, can disguise the grim nature of their campaign or explain why a club which has been to three European semi-finals in eight years should find themselves without a solitary point.

Wasps, with the business of a bonus-point win done and dusted by half-time, conserved the energy of some of their heavier guns in anticipation of next Sunday's Pool Five decider against Munster at Thomond Park. Raphael Ibanez, Phil Vickery and Simon Shaw were all withdrawn long before the end.

The mathematics which invariably apply to qualification for the last eight can be dispensed with in this case. Munster's bonus point against Clermont Auvergne in France yesterday means Wasps must win. A bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer will not be enough to protect them against falling victims of a photo-finish.

The holders cannot afford to finish level on points with the Irish province. The decisive factor, the aggregate score between the teams, would inevitably eliminate Wasps given that they came from behind at the start of the competition two months ago to win 24-23.

Cipriani, therefore, could not wish for a more demanding test of his ability to deliver in a place where Munster have lost once during the 13 years of Heineken competition, to Leicester this time last year.

Wasps' rugby director Ian McGeechan said: "Having talent is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is another. Danny's given all the right answers to a lot of questions. As a club, we are working him to a level where he can make an impact as a Test player."

Fraser Waters, exploiting Eoin Reddan's dash from a tap-pen, put the skids under the sickly Scarlets after six minutes. Cipriani's break set up a rare try for Vickery and Deacon Manu's prompt Llanelli reply did nothing to turn the tide. Cipriani instigated the third, featuring two other 20-year-olds.

Dominic Waldouck's acceleration cleared the way for David Doherty to strike as the ball from Riki Flutey's diagonal chip sat up perfectly for the young full back to touch it down in full cry. Paul Sackey provided the next high-speed move, handing- off Gavin Evans before finding Waldouck on the inside to finish it off.

Regrettably, the price to pay for going back to the top of their pool will inevitably eliminate one of Wasps most creative forces. Flutey, such a revelation at inside centre that he would have been in the England squad had he been eligible now and not next season, pulled a hamstring, clearing the way for substitute wing Rob Hoadley to turn his first touch of the ball into the fifth try.

Lawrence Dallaglio's one-handed flip behind his back from the base of a scrum sent Scottish scrum half Mark McMillan through to give Sackey the sixth on a plate. By then, Wasps had Munster on their minds.