Last season we lost 49-23 at the Causeway Stadium despite scoring four tries, but gained revenge at Kingston Park on February 6^th with a 29-28 win courtesy of a late David Walder penalty after Michael Roberts’ second try of the game, converted by Mark Van Gisbergen, looked to have sealed the win for the visitors.

This season Wasps are again going strong in their own second place, having defeated Bath, Northampton and Bristol in their last three games to go with earlier victories over Saracens, Worcester and Leeds and a draw at home to Leicester.  Their only league defeat so far came at Sale in October, by 18-10.  In the Heineken Cup our opponents have faired less well, losing to Edinburgh 32-31 and scrambling a late draw against holders Toulouse at home.  They resume continental action in two weeks at Llanelli, by which time they should have beaten Saracens to go through to the Powergen Cup semis after wins against Irish and Cardiff so far.

Wasps have four players involved at Twickenham on Saturday, in Matt Dawson, Simon Shaw, Tom Voyce (electric against Northampton two weeks ago) and Josh Lewsey, whilst Johnny O’Connor is away with Ireland and Raphael Ibanez with France.  Their other English internationals are Alex King, Stuart Abbott, Fraser Waters, 1-capper Tim Payne, and Mally’s favourite Lawrence Dallaglio.  Irish fly-half Jeremy Staunton, whose kicks played a big part in Sunday’s tight win over Bath, misses out on international duty this time.

But Wasps’ galaxy of stars doesn’t stop there.  They boast the power of Ayoola Erinle at centre and Mark Lock in the back row, talented second rowers Richard Birkett and John Hart, experienced centre Rob Hoadley and the up and coming flanker Tom Rees.

Still missing Colin Charvis, Stuart Grimes, and now Jonny Wilkinson, we will again have our work cut out on Sunday against a side we don’t beat very often, and one who has as previously mentioned been English champions for the past three years.  However, with a vocal Geordie crowd behind us, we will look to recapture October’s Cup home form and forget the terrible start we have made in the Premiership.  The return of Jamie Noon from international duty (prematurely), and Mark Mayerhofler from his knee injury will help immensely.

By Sunday we could be bottom of the table should Leeds beat Bath, therefore a win is vital to keep our heads above water.  It will be hard, but isn’t impossible.

Mark’s note - Wasps normally name their team on Friday, but for the Northampton game two weeks ago there were a number of changes (the biggest being Dallaglio dropping to the bench) from the Friday to the Saturday.  Ian McGeechan’s very cute move of leaving his club captain and Simon Shaw to come on in the second half though worked, as the two big men had a huge influence on Wasps deservedly winning that game.  The man of the match from that day, Tom Voyce, gets a cap as a reward for his work this season, where I have to say that he’s probably been THE standout player in the Premiership.

Falcons team, named a short while ago, is:-

15 Matthew Burke (captain)
14 Tom May
13 Jamie Noon
12 Mark Mayerhofler
11 Mathew Tait
10 Toby Flood
9 James Grindal
1 Micky Ward
2 Andy Long
3 Robbie Morris
4 Andy Perry
5 Geoff Parling
6 Mike McCarthy
7 Cory Harris
8 Jason Smithson

Replacements:
David Wilson
Matt Thompson
Andy Buist
Owen Finegan
Ben Woods
Lee Dickson
Dave Walder

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