Wasps confirm squad for remainder of 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.

[Rossm]

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-confirm-squad-for-remainder-of-201920-gallagher-premiership-season/

Wasps senior squad

Forwards (26):  Biyi Alo, Alfie Barbeary, Kieran Brookes, Tim Cardall, Tom Cruse, Levi Douglas, Myles Edwards, Thibaud Flament, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Joe Launchbury, Simon McIntyre, Ben Morris, Gabriel Oghre, Jack Owlett, Will Rowlands, Brad Shields, Tommy Taylor, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Sione Vailanu, Theo Vukasinovic, Tom West, Jack Willis, Tom Willis, Thomas Young, Zurabi Zhvania

Backs (20): Josh Bassett, Michael Le Bourgeois, Malakai Fekitoa, Jimmy Gopperth, Juan de Jongh, Zach Kibirige, Rob Miller, Ryan Mills, Matteo Minozzi, Paolo Odogwu, Will Porter, Dan Robson, Callum Sirker, Will Simonds, Lima Sopoaga, Sam Spink, Jacob Umaga, Ben Vellacott, Marcus Watson, Sam Wolstenholme

[Chunky24]

Interesting breakdown of squads by nationality.

https://twitter.com/DanLyle8/status/1293930396288053253?s=09

[Rossm]

19-year-old Senior Academy player Tom Bacon to join Doncaster Knights on loan

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-tom-bacon-to-join-championship-side-on-loan/

[Mellie]

Interestingly a squad of 46, with a forward/backs split of 26/20 is the exact requirement for 2 x 23 man squads.

I'm thinking that Thibult could well be backrow replacement for 1 and Levi the other, while being able to double up at 2nd row, where injuries are more likely.

[Neils]

I do think that is over thinking the squad we have. The imperative set to Lee will be get us into the Champions Cup draw. That is where they will hope to recoup some money. There will be games where points are necessary (and we can't leave it to the last march v Exeter) and some key players will be on short rotation.

[Raggs]

Bench players could also more easily double up on short turnaround games, even if it's to go from bench to bench. Going to be interesting to see how different squads approach it.

[DGP Wasp]

Interestingly a squad of 46, with a forward/backs split of 26/20 is the exact requirement for 2 x 23 man squads.

Assuming zero injuries.

I think the rotation will be a lot more fluid than entirely different alternate match day 23s.  As others have said, use of the bench from one game to the next will offer some wiggle room.  Also, backs, and particularly outside backs will be better able to play more minutes than forwards due to the levels of physicality in those positions.  There will also be a "horses for courses" element to selection if Lee feels certain players have qualities that will be more beneficial against certain opponents.  And then there's the great unknown of injuries.  I think pretty much all clubs have fully fit squads after such a long lay off, but that will not last once they all start knocking lumps out of each other again.  Can't imagine team selection will be planned more than a couple of games ahead.

Less than 2 and a half hours until that team announcement!  It's been a while!!

[baldpaul101]

As others have said, I can't see 2 separate squads working. Some players will thrive on back to back games with few rest days, while others may need longer. Positions played will make a difference also as will injuries or niggles that may need a rest. The key thing is to get competitive sides out each game, playing a bunch of academy boys all together won't be good for anyone.

[MarleyWasp]

I've been looking at how our squad compares to other clubs for depth:

Bath - 40 (23/17)
Bristol - 39 (21/18)
Exeter - 47 (24/23)
Gloucester - 40 (23/17)
Harlequins - 44 (25/19)
Leicester - 44 (23/21)
Irish - 41 (22/19)
Northampton - 42 (25/17)
Sale - 34 (18/16)
Saracens - 37 (21/16)
Wasps - 46 (26/20)
Worcester - 31 (18/13)

Numbers in brackets are the split between forwards and backs.

I can't see how Sale can keep momentum going with 7 matches in the next 30 days. Worcester should be very please relegation has already been decided.

[DGP Wasp]

Sale and Worcester with only 18 forwards will have their work cut out.  You need 13 for a match day squad, and all 13 of those will put in a shift.  Then 4 days later, only 5 of those can have a rest.

Some will have to rely more heavily on their academies than others.  Maybe those with smaller senior squads are confident in their youngsters' ability to step up?  It's a gamble definitely.

[Steve from Cov]

19-year-old Senior Academy player Tom Bacon to join Doncaster Knights on loan

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-tom-bacon-to-join-championship-side-on-loan/

Whilst acknowledging that I don’t know the facts of Tom’s case I’m saddened that Wasps players aren’t going to Coventry RUFC for game time and experience.

Cov have released a huge number of players in the last few weeks and both clubs benefitted from Jack Willis (and Tom Howe?) playing at BPA.

Both clubs need to get their heads together as it’s a no brainer.

[Raggs]

19-year-old Senior Academy player Tom Bacon to join Doncaster Knights on loan

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-tom-bacon-to-join-championship-side-on-loan/

Whilst acknowledging that I don’t know the facts of Tom’s case I’m saddened that Wasps players aren’t going to Coventry RUFC for game time and experience.

Cov have released a huge number of players in the last few weeks and both clubs benefitted from Jack Willis (and Tom Howe?) playing at BPA.

Both clubs need to get their heads together as it’s a no brainer.

We don't know why he hasn't gone there though. Maybe Cov don't want loan players only available for a season, and potentially pulled back at short notice. Maybe Cov have players in that position they plan on using. Maybe Doncaster have greater need so more likely to get gametime. Maybe Wasps feel Doncaster train/play in a more similar fashion so it's more beneficial?

I don't actually know any of the facts above, just pointing out that it's far more than geographical consideration.

[Raggs]

I've been looking at how our squad compares to other clubs for depth:

Bath - 40 (23/17)
Bristol - 39 (21/18)
Exeter - 47 (24/23)
Gloucester - 40 (23/17)
Harlequins - 44 (25/19)
Leicester - 44 (23/21)
Irish - 41 (22/19)
Northampton - 42 (25/17)
Sale - 34 (18/16)
Saracens - 37 (21/16)
Wasps - 46 (26/20)
Worcester - 31 (18/13)

Numbers in brackets are the split between forwards and backs.

I can't see how Sale can keep momentum going with 7 matches in the next 30 days. Worcester should be very please relegation has already been decided.

Where did you get your Wuss numbers? I'm checking their 1st team on their home page now and it's 45...

[Lwasp]

You need 13 for a match day squad, and all 13 of those will put in a shift.

*Pedant alert*

You only need 11 for a match day squad, 8 starters and the required replacement front row. Nothing other than near total insanity to stop you picking a 3/5 bench split.

[BG]

As you say only 3 forwards on the bench would be madness.. 5 is a practical minimum. This is where we had a slight advantage sometimes over other teams with Smashley being able to cover back row and hooker. Sometimes you'll find a back that started their career in the pack and know hows to pack down at blindside