Tom Rees is ready to power London Wasps into the Guinness Premiership play-offs and prove he deserves the chance to go head to head with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw on England's summer tour of New Zealand.

Flank forward Rees made his first appearance since injuring knee ligaments in England's opening Six Nations match with Wales and helped Wasps to a 24-19 victory over Leicester, their first league win at Welford Road in 18 attempts. The win came courtesy of a superb try by Danny Cipriani and a pre-match rant from head coach Shaun Edwards, who was less than impressed with the EDF Energy Cup defeat by Leicester the previous weekend.

Rees said: "This is the first time I have lasted 70 minutes for three months and it's fantastic to be back. Getting on to the tour to New Zealand would be great. Having tested myself against some of the best open side flankers in Europe, I would love the chance to take on the best."

LONDON IRISH beat Bristol 28-8. It was perfect preparation for their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Perpignan, who had England prop Perry Freshwater banned after flanker Kieran Roche suffered a fractured cheekbone and eye socket in December's group match. Irish lost 23-6 and director of rugby Brian Smith said: "We will get our own back if we win this time."

SARACENS beat Leeds 66-7, scoring 10 tries. They take on the Ospreys next week in the Heineken Cup and director of rugby Alan Gaffney said: "This result gives us confidence to play the way we want to play."