Wasps overcame two controversial refereeing decisions, including a red card shown to Jacob Umaga to record an emotional 30-22 Heineken Champions Cup victory over holders Toulouse. England prospect Alfie Barbeary crossed for the crucial 69th-minute try as Lee Blackett’s side challenged the odds at CBS Arena to keep their ambition of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Umaga was sent off six minutes before half-time for his challenge against scrum-half Martin Page-Relo, with referee Chris Busby saying there was direct contact and no mitigation. However, Umaga tried to wrap his arms around Relo, who was already falling down due to a low tackle from Charlie Atkinson.

It was his second red card in two matches but the setback failed to put out Wasps’ fire as they continued to lead 14-10 based on converted tries forwards from Biyi Alo and Brad Shields . Somehow Busby, overseeing his first game in the competition, found mitigation when No.8 Anthony Jelonch floored Barbeary with a shoulder to the head, but the official’s inconsistency caused been caught in their stride.

François Hougaard on Wasps beating Leicester and his memories of Bakkies Botha

François Hougaard on Wasps beating Leicester and his memories of Bakkies Botha

Two penalties from Jimmy Gopperth even extended their lead to 20-10 as they invoked the obvious spirit in inflicting Leicester’s first loss of the campaign a week earlier. Toulouse were rocked and could only show a glimpse of the brilliance that propelled them to a fifth European Cup crown last season, but they were next to score by hooker Peato Mauvaka.

However, the exceptional Barbeary delivered at the crucial moment, as the Wasps fought furiously at every turn to complete their comeback after a disastrous start that heralded an ominous afternoon to come.

Sparks fly as England prospect Umaga sees red in first game after ban following Boxing Day expulsion?#Wasps #HeinekenChampionsCup #WASvTOUhttps://t.co/Xyj0PkZSVG

—RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 15, 2022

There were just two minutes left on the clock when Wasps were first breached and all Francois Cros had to do was cross the line after a powerful Toulouse maul left its mark. Wasps were under pressure in all departments until a free kick from scrimmage gave them the opportunity to attack and they spent the next ten minutes probing the defence.

Their build-up of patients finally paid off when prop Alo crashed from close range, but two runs from Paolo Odogwu were also crucial as he made his first appearance since May due to knee surgery.

It appeared Toulouse’s early onslaught had been repelled as Wasps went straight back on the offensive and the breakthrough came more quickly this time as clever training propelled Shields through the whitewash.

As the champions quickly crumbled, Odogwu launched a new attack and although it came to nothing, the tide had completely turned. Umaga, playing at full-back, showed remarkable athleticism to keep a Toulouse touchdown in play, but moments later he was sent off and Thomas Ramos scored the three points.

Toulouse were still trailing 14-10 but their offloading game was starting to create gaps and influential No8 Tom Willis was told his afternoon was over due to a missed HIA. Still, Wasps showed their resilience by winning penalties early in the second half, which Gopperth sent between the uprights, as they tore into Top 14 title contenders.

Jelonch escaped with only a yellow card for his tackle on Barbeary but another penalty from Gopperth brought some consolation. Despite being a man down, Toulouse engineered their second try when hooker Mauvaka completed the type of outing maul that had become their most effective tool.

But Wasps fought back through Barbeary after Atkinson nearly snuck his way through and the flanker continued to be central in the closing stages of a famous win for his team.