Wasps coach Shaun Edwards hailed Paul Sackey as the best winger in Europe after he scored an 80-metre try to help Wasps to a precious 32-13 win over Newcastle Falcons.
The England flier was a constant handful for the home defence as Wasps kept alive their Guinness Premiership title hopes.
Sackey finished off a spectacular move to score one of four tries as Wasps won their game in hand to climb into third place going into the final round of matches in the regular season.
"I'm sticking my neck out but he's the best winger in Europe," Edwards said.
"It's between him and Shane Williams. He's come on in leaps and bounds and turned all that potential into the real deal."
Sackey's 44th-minute try followed first-half scores from flankers James Haskell and Tom Rees. Left winger Josh Lewsey then grabbed the all-important fourth try five minutes from the end to clinch a fifth successive away win that keeps alive Wasps' hopes of a home semi-final in the play-offs.
Ian McGeechan, whose squad will stay in the north of England to prepare for Saturday's game at relegated Leeds, said: "It's put us in a position where we can have a big say in what happens on the final day.
"We were a bit careless with some of our carrying and decision-making and we gave some silly points away in the first half.
"But I thought our forwards were outstanding and we did them justice in the end."
Already without England backs Jonny Wilkinson, Jamie Noon, Matthew Tait and Toby Flood, Newcastle lost full-back Alex Tait with a head injury after only 12 minutes and ended the game with teenagers Micky Young and Rob Miller occupying the half-back roles.
Acting director of rugby Steve Bates complained about the legitimacy of Wasps' two second-half tries but he was delighted with the efforts of his young patched-up side.
"I thought it was a really encouraging performance against a good side," said former Wasps player Bates.
"I'm very proud of the boys. I thought their inexperience and lack of composure really told at times.
"We were struggling to keep up with the pace but I'm confident they will be better for the experience.
"Wasps put out a very strong side. They were very physical and played with intensity at contact. They got assistance from certain quarters but that's the way it goes."
Meanwhile, Bates admitted that Newcastle are close to making an announcement on his future.
He added: "I expect a decision very soon - I'm very optimistic."
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