HAVE BERET, WILL TRAVEL
Three years ago we took them lightly. Pre-season this August, much the same. This time we have to build on the recent performances against Newcastle and Sale, and take the game to Edinburgh. If we don't, we face almost certain exit from progressing from the pool and a date in Edinburgh come the final in May.
Ian McGeechan makes eight changes to the team that won up at Newcastle a week ago to the day. The six England internationals will welcome the change, despite having only six days to prepare for wily Andy Robinson's team, greatly improved since 2005.
Friday's game is one of our key games of the season. However, Wasps' confidence is reported to be high but, actions speak louder than words. Wasps' young forwards coming through are really pushing the senior squad hard. Phil Vickery leads from the front having rediscovered his appetite with England.
Vicks is pleased to be back and involved in the cauldron of an away Heineken Cup game. The Leinster result has crystallized our goal in this competition into a game by game approach. Dom Waldouck returns from a knee injury and is thrown straight into action, allowing Josh Lewsey to return to the wing. Mark Van Gisbergen switches to fullback with Lachlan Mitchell unlucky to be pushed down to the bench.
How will the next two games go? The probability of London Wasps of Edinburgh recording two wins are low. Wasps have only accomplished two back-to-back wins, Edinburgh only one. Geech relishes the challenge, however: "It’s good to have our internationals playing back at the club, despite a short turn around for some of our players. It is a big challenge going to Edinburgh, they are a side who are playing well and who are well coached and it will be a big game for both sides."
Steve Hayes plans for Wasps' future off the field. is bound to be a filip. Let's hope it translates to a positive performance in Auld Reekie. For Eileen...
Listen in on Friday 5th December, KO 7.30pm on BBC Scotland: www.bbc.co.uk/sportscotland or http://www.matchdaylive.com/tools/matchdaylive.php?fixid=63116&referer=www.ercrugby.com
London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen; 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Josh Lewsey; 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Rob Webber, 3 Phil Vickery (Capt.), 4 George Skivington, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Serge Betsen, 7 Tom Rees, 8 James Haskell
Bench: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Tom French, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 John Hart, 20 Joe Simpson, 21 Dave Walder, 22 Lachlan Mitchell
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson; 14 M Robertson, 13 B Cairns, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Simon Webster; 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair (Capt.); 1 A Jacobsen, 2 R Ford, 3 G Cross, 4 C Hamilton, 5 J Hamilton, 6 A MacDonald, 7 R Rennie, 8 A Hogg
Bench: 16 A Kelly, 17 G Kerr, 18 M Mustchin, 19 S Newlands, 20 G Laidlaw, 21 D Blair, 22 Hugo Southwell
Bookmark or share this story with:
Related Articles: