Wasps may be flying high in Aviva Premiership Rugby and have a European quarter-final to look forward to but Ealing scrum-half Joe Simpson knows the season can only be considered a success if they maintain their results until the very end.

Not since the 2008 season have Wasps – then known as London Wasps – reached the title showdown match at Twickenham and that’s something Simpson is keen to change this time around.

On that occasion they went on to lift the trophy after triumphing 26-16 over Leicester Tigers but that was the club’s last piece of major silverware.

This time around, however, the club, who relocated to Coventry in 2014, are well placed for another assault on the title, comfortably ensconced in the top four with eight rounds remaining.

But Simpson, who is currently the longest-serving member in the Wasps squad, knows their strong first-half of the season will count for nothing if they let things slide.

“We are getting there; we are growing as a squad. We had a few new boys come in at the start of the season and they’ve been going well,” said the former St Benedict's School student.

“We’ve got experience but we haven’t had those experiences of winning trophies and that’s something we need to get definitely.

“That only comes by playing in those crunch matches, in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.

“We are desperate to be involved at the end of the season.

“It’s been a fantastic year; we closed out 2016 without a home defeat so that was particularly pleasing for the whole squad, the fans and everyone involved at the club.

“We started 2017 well by qualifying well from our group, which was a tough old group and we got through by the skin of our teeth.

“We’re sitting top of the Premiership which is always nice but we need to just make sure we are in the top four and ideally top-two come the end of the season.”

Simpson was speaking at the launch of this year’s Aviva #DriveSafer campaign alongside team-mates Ashley Johnson and Jimmy Gopperth. As part of the campaign, Aviva and all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs are highlighting the dangers of dangerous driving caused by distractions, with a particular focus on the use of mobile phones.

And Simpson explained he was proud to play his part in trying to help improve safety on the roads.

“We are raising awareness for the Aviva #DriveSafer campaign to stop people texting and driving unsafely.”

“I am a rugby player first and foremost and my job is to entertain but if I can get people driving safer then that’s brilliant to be part of that. If we can have an impact whatsoever – whether that’s less accidents or delays – then I’m happy to help out where I can.”

Simpson and Wasps have provided plenty of entertainment this season and are currently the league’s highest point’s scorers.

But the 28-year-old knows that they also have to tighten up in defence if they want to prove they are the real deal.

“We are trying to build a squad of winners at the moment,” he added.

“We came third last season and we’re sitting inside the top four now so we are improving.

“I feel like our attacking game is as strong as it’s ever been, that’s something we are delighted about.

“Our defence probably needs a bit of work; we need to be a well-rounded team. No team can compete right at the top if you’ve got any weak areas so we just need to have a good look at ourselves over the next couple of months and make sure we are in shipshape come the end of the season.”

Wasps are proud to support Aviva, title sponsor of Premiership Rugby, on their #DriveSafer campaign and help raise awareness of dangerous driving. Download the Aviva Drive app to see how safe your driving is at www.aviva.co.uk/car-insurance/drive