By BrianC
September 22 2004

Many of us have already seen Wasps play this season when they were narrowly piped by Saracens in the second game of the London Double Header. To most observers, including this author, that game was a class above the one we had seen earlier in the afternoon.

In what appeared to be another upset Sale also overturned them 30 – 33 at the Causeway Stadium a week later. The Sharks are however looking very good indeed this season and, even at this early stage, look a good bet to be in the hunt for honors at the end of the season.  Last week Wasps managed their first victory of the season with a 9 – 13 victory at Leeds. As they have picked up two losing bonus points they currently sit one point and two positions ahead of us in the table.

In last weeks game at Leeds former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio went off with a rib injury. Whilst we all wish him a speedy recovery we may also be doing so with our fingers crossed that it is not in time for Sundays game. They always appear to be a much weaker team without him.  This is not to say that they are lacking in talent the team is studded with international talent including this year none other than our old friend Matt (Cactus) Dawson who signed for them from Saints this season. 

Last season Wasps beat us twice. In October by 22 – 15 at The Causeway Stadium then by 19 – 34 in our big post-Christmas game. The latter of these games marked the start of our late season slide last year and pretty well ended our hopes of a top three finish.

By their own very high standards Wasps have had an indifferent start to this season. They will however go into this game as the bookmakers favorites. If they are without Larry Doolally we might just sneak this.