IT’S almost certain now that Wasps are going to go empty-handed for a second season in a row.

But the club’s director of rugby Tony Hanks says the potential and resolve is there to make sure it’s not an unhappy hat-trick next year.

After watching his side lose 18-15 to Cardiff Blues in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Saturday evening – a week after Bath virtually killed off their Premiership challenge – Hanks said: “What’s pretty clear is the resolve within this group is pretty strong.

“If you look at the last 12 months we’ve come a long way with a new coaching team, a lot of new players, and we’ve had plenty of adversity.

“We’re very, very disappointed, but we have shown this season we can compete with the best, we just need to be a bit more consistent across the 80 minutes.

“We’ve got to make sure we come back stronger next week and next season.”