Guinness Premiership : Wasps ready for 'biggest challenge of the season'

Joe Worsley forms a strong back row with Lawrence Dallaglio and Tom Rees

Wasps ready for 'biggest challenge of the season'

2 May 2008, 2:02 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

London Wasps take on Gloucester in a Guinness Premiership top of the table clash at Adams Park on Sunday.

Wasps have climbed to third in the table after recording their eighth win in succession at Saracens a fortnight ago, but Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan knows Sunday's game against table topping Gloucester will be the toughest yet.

"Gloucester have been good all season, that's why they are top," said McGeechan.

"This game is without doubt our biggest challenge of the season far. Gloucester produce quality rugby on a consistent basis and we have to perform on Sunday to challenge them.

"We've had to fight our way into the top four, and I've no doubt that the race for the play offs will go right down to the wire next Saturday."

Wasps go into the game not having lost in the Premiership since playing Gloucester at Kingsholm in January, but they face a tough week, with three games to play in the next seven days.

Nevertheless, McGeechan names a strong line up to face the league leaders. Riki Flutey has recovered from a dead leg and partners Fraser Waters in the centre, whilst up front there is no Phil Vickery (knee) or Pat Barnard (knee), so Tim Payne moves to tight head with Tom French starting at loose. Joe Worsley gets the nod to join Tom Rees and Lawrence Dallaglio on the back row, with James Haskell having to settle for the bench alongside Waldouck.

Barnard, who has been in intensive rehab since stretching his posterior cruciate ligament against Saracens, is being monitored daily in his recovery, but was not ready for Sunday's game.

London Wasps' team to face Gloucester is:

15 Josh Lewsey
14 Paul Sackey
13 Fraser Waters
12 Riki Flutey
11 Tom Voyce
10 Danny Cipriani
9 Eoin Reddan

1 Tom French
2 Raphael Ibanez
3 Tim Payne
4 Simon Shaw
5 Tom Palmer
6 Joe Worsley
7 Tom Rees
8 Lawrence Dallaglio (c)

16 Joe Ward
17 Michael Holford
18 George Skivington
19 James Haskell
20 Mark McMillan
21 Dominic Waldouck
22 Mark Van Gisbergen