By Peter Snow's Swingometer
September 10 2005

London Wasps and Leicester Tigers face each other for the first time since Wasps took the Premiership title 39-14 last May. While Wasps toughed out a 23-11 win against Saracens last weekend, Tigers hit the ground running, scoring five tries in a 32-0 home drubbing of Northampton.  

Early season form may mean little in the context of a long season since the advent of the playoffs, but both London Wasps and Leicester Tigers will be itching to settle some old scores today.

Wasps finishing must improve on last week if they are to take advantage of any lax Leicester defence, while our own high pressure envelope must be leak proof, especially in the first quarter when the Tigers traditionally take charge. Switch on, or prepare to be dusted down is their warning.

The news from PA:

"Lock Simon Shaw is set to become the latest of England's Lions to play a full game ahead of the RFU's 11-week rest schedule, making his seasonal bow as one of four changes following Wasps' victory over Saracens last weekend. Shaw replaces Martin Purdy, with prop Jon Dawson taking over from Peter Bracken and flanker Tom Rees preferred to John Hart in a Wasps side captained by Joe Worsley. Centre Ayoola Erinle has an ankle injury and is replaced by Fraser Waters."

"Leicester's Lewis Moody is ruled out by a four-week club ban after he admitted striking an opponent in the Guinness A League victory over Leeds. Moody is replaced by Brett Deacon, who features in the back row alongside Shane Jennings and Martin Corry, while Lions lock Ben Kay is preferred to James Hamilton. Another Lion, full-back Geordan Murphy, returns to action a week earlier than planned. He replaces Sam Vesty (groin), and centre Daryl Gibson takes over from Dan Hipkiss (calf)."

The old swingometer foresees an afternoon of striped menace and a six point deficit, unless Tigers coach is late again and Mr. Sackey strikes like Little Voyce.

London Wasps: 15 Mark van Gisbergen; 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Stuart Abbott, 11 Tom Voyce; 10 Alex King, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 3 Jon Dawson, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Tom Rees, 7 Jonny O’Connor, 8 Joe Worsley (Capt.)

Bench: 16 Ben Gotting, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 John Hart, 19 Mark Lock, 20 Matt Dawson, 21 James Brooks, 22 Rob Hoadley.

Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy; 14 Alesana Tuilagi, 13 Leon Lloyd, 12 Daryl Gibson, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis; 1 Michael Holford, 2 George Chuter, 3 Alex Moreno, 4 Leo Cullen, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Brett Deacon, 7 Shane Jennings, 8 Martin Corry (Capt.)

Bench: Ephraim Taukafa, Julian White, Louis Deacon, Luke Abraham, Austin Healey, Ross Broadfoot, Matt Cornwell.

3 times champs