Rugby Union: Zurich Premiership: Leicester 45 - 10 Wasps

Three hours after the whistle that signalled Leicester and Martin Johnson would go directly to the Zurich grand final at Twickenham, the captain was still saying his goodbyes.

First, there was the formal bit on the pitch where Johnson has played 174 games, losing only 19. "I'm totally overwhelmed," he managed before the emotions took over. "One more game - and I'm looking forward to it."

Then there was a lap of the still-packed stadium accompanied by an equally tearful Neil Back after his own last home game, and John Wells, the coach, who is leaving after 23 years at Leicester.

After 90 minutes in the dressing room - feet up and "holding court", discussing the most complete of victories and looking forward to a possible fifth meeting with Wasps this season - came a last session of autograph signing in the gangway beneath the stand.

Finally, there was the press conference in which he sought to explain what Leicester means to him. "I've been a fan of this club long before I became a player and I'll be a fan long after," said the former England and Lions captain.

"I've been here since 1981 watching and it's been a dream come true to play here and be successful. It's about the people in the crowd and the people you play with. I've been fortunate to play with great players and great teams who've won stuff. It's been more than you could ask for.

"I said to Neil: 'I can't believe we won't be out here doing it again next year'. I was the only one who could talk at that point. They were both pretty choked up, which was nice. It was an amazing send off." Both on and off the field.

Wasps were top when they arrived. After six consecutive wins they were the team with the momentum whereas Leicester had been bumped out of the Heineken Cup by Toulouse and had lost two of their previous three league games.

However the London challenge came to nothing. While it still mattered, Wasps only once sniffed the Leicester try line and that was in the first 15 seconds when Josh Lewsey almost got to Geordan Murphy's charged down kick.

Lewsey was beaten to the ball by Henry Tuilagi, the Samoan, who although he played only 30 minutes did enough to earn the man-of-the-match award and came close to eclipsing Johnson at his own party.

Tuilagi caused havoc in the Wasps midfield long before he set up Harry Ellis for the first try, erupting down the middle to dump Tom Rees on his backside before off-loading to the England scrum-half.

Five minutes later Joe Worsley got the same treatment and Tuilagi made 40 metres before Tom Voyce caught up and, in a tangle of legs, the flanker broke his right tibia and fibia. He will be out for four months. Wells said it was his work in that opening period that helped set the tone for the match.

Daryl Gibson, part of a three-man overlap on the left, scored the other first-half try before Leicester added 22 points in 27 minutes at the start of the second. Murphy intercepted Alex King to go in from 80 metres, Back scored the 125th try of his Leicester career by being the only player to believe that a hack ahead would stay in play, and Dan Hipkiss, on for six minutes as a blood replacement, was on the end of a break by Goode.

With Goode's boot claiming 20 points, that made it 45-3 and time for Wells to empty his replacements' bench. Such was the confusion, with James Buckland's yellow card confusing to the coach's calculations still further, that Leicester played the last four minutes unnecessarily a man short, which was when Voyce nipped in for Wasps only try.

Such a last-day victory used to mean silverware for the champions. However, since play-offs now end the season at Twickenham, the only presentation was of their dressing room pegs to Johnson, Back and Wells, although more is promised.

"I think it was a little bit tongue in cheek," said Johnson. "Me and Neil and Wellsy have ... got sideboards full of decanters and medals, so it's nice to get something more down to earth."

"I'd prefer a gold Rolex," said Back. "No, it was fantastic. It means a lot and will go up somewhere in the house, although I don't know where yet."

Leicester: Vesty; Murphy (Bemand, 69), Smith, Gibson, Healey (A Tuilagi, 60); Goode, Ellis; Morris (Holford, 61), Chuter (Buckland, 61), White, M Johnson (capt), Kay, H Tuilagi (W Johnson, 30), Back, Deacon.

Tries: Ellis, Gibson, Murphy, Back, Hopkiss. Cons: Goode 4. Pens: Goode 3. Drop-goal: Goode.

Sin-bin: Buckland, 66.

Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Erinle, Lewsey (Mbu, 69), Voyce; King (Brooks, 55), Dawson (Fury, 69); Payne, Greening (Leota, 58), Green (McKenzie, 69); Shaw, Birkett (Purdy 55), Worsley (Hart, 55), Rees, Dallaglio (capt).

Try: Voyce. Con: Van Gisbergen. Pen: Van Gisbergen.

Referee: T Spreadbury (RFU).

Attendance: 16,850.