Teams Up for Tigs - Wusty Injured, Benji Starts.

[Rossm]

Lee Blackett has named his Wasps side to travel to Welford Road to take on Leicester Tigers in Gallagher Premiership Round 10 on Saturday. 

There are just two changes to the starting line-up from the win against Worcester Warriors last time out.

Will Rowlands returns from Six Nations duty with Wales, to make his 100th Wasps appearance.

Rowlands is joined in the second row by James Gaskell, who will make his 100th Premiership appearance for Wasps.

There is also a milestone for recent re-signing Josh Bassett, who will make his 100th Premiership appearance.

The only other change sees Ben Vellacott start at scrum half for the injured Sam Wolstenholme. That alteration sees recent loan signing Alex Schwarz in line to make his Wasps debut from the bench.

Paolo Odogwu and Dan Robson continue training with England in a fallow week for Six Nations fixtures.

Wasps team to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Saturday in Gallagher Premiership Round 10 (kick-off 3:00 pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Matteo Minozzi (25)

14 Zach Kibirige (35)

13 Malakai Fekitoa (26)

12 Jimmy Gopperth (117)

11 Josh Bassett (136)

10 Charlie Atkinson (9)

9 Ben Vellacott (12)

1 Tom West (43)

2 Tommy Taylor (80)

3 Kieran Brookes (51)

4 Will Rowlands (99)

5 James Gaskell (131)

6 Brad Shields (39) (c)

7 Ben Morris (38)

8 Tom Willis (31)

 

Replacements

16 Tom Cruse (93)

17 Ben Harris (70)

18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen (32)

19 Levi Douglas (6)

20 Sione Vailanu (21)

21 Alex Schwarz (0)

22 Jacob Umaga (38)

23 Michael Le Bourgeois (46)

[Rossm]

Tiggers:

15 Freddie Steward [20]

14 Kobus Van Wyk [5]

13 Matías Moroni [4]

12 Matt Scott [13]

11 Kini Murimurivalu [8]

10 Zack Henry [15]

9 Richard Wigglesworth [5](c)

1 Luan de Bruin [4]

2 Julián Montoya [3]

3 Dan Cole [250]

4 Calum Green [49]

5 Tomás Lavanini [24]

6 Hanro Liebenberg [23]

7 Cyle Brink [8]

8 Jasper Wiese [7]

Replacements

16 Tom Youngs [202]

17 Nephi Leatigaga [37]

18 Joe Heyes [55]

19 Harry Wells [108]

20 Tommy Reffell [34]

21 Jack Van Poortvliet [10]

22 Johnny McPhillips [11]

23 Dan Kelly [6

[Neils]

Injured Sam. Ouch. Welcome Mr Pirate.

[Neils]

Not really up on the current Tigers team. Lots of foreign names so looks strong but anyone actually know?

[JonnyD]

Good to have Rowlands back, didn’t notice him on first glance. SHs dropping like flies - bet Vellacott will be out there wanting to prove himself.

It’s amazing how unrecognisable Leicester are these days - I mean I know all of their players for seeing them play all around the world but have hardy watched Leicester this season and it just looks like a team of journeyman and mercenaries again - only Cole and Youngs and a few academy lads seem ‘Leicester’. Borthwick has got a hell of a job there on his hands but they are getting better

[Chunky24]

Not really up on the current Tigers team. Lots of foreign names so looks strong but anyone actually know?

Very strong and physical Tigers pack, Wigglesworth will be keeping them moving forward all day with the boot, going to be a tough day, could do with some sunshine!

[Horusthewasp]

Like that.

Interesting that Miller is dropped again. The Atkinson/Umaga rotation for a second week is understandable. Douglas over Cardall makes sense with Leicester’s very heavy pack ... Rowlands return is timely as well.

Frustrating to add Wolstenholme to our ever growing injury list. Good luck Schwartz.

A very decent Leicester 23 with only Nadolo the key missing heavyweight (bar the internationals).

[Rossm]

BB says that Wusty has a calf problem

[hookender]

Fingers crossed that having the Gaskell / Rowlands combo will help lock our scrum together better

No silly penalties this week please.

[baldpaul101]

9 is a worry. If Vellacott isn't going well, bringing on a guy who's been with the squad 9 days & hoping he can change the game, is a big ask!

If wasps can get some front foot ball through the backs, &, as Hookenders says, cut out the penalties, they should have enough.

Fingers crossed & wine close at hand.

[Hymenoptera]

Not really up on the current Tigers team. Lots of foreign names so looks strong but anyone actually know?

Weise at 8 is a handful both with and without the ball, but especially with, the 6/7 are strong too and compliment without excelling. Murimava hasn't started much but seems a tricky operator from what i've seen. Wigglesworth has added very little to tigers IMO and i'm glad not to see their young 9 Poovert start. Now's he's not in a cheats jersey his box kicks have become average and the only attribute that remains is his ability to spit through his teeth every 30 secs. Their new Argentinian 2 looks solid and a step up from youngs.
They have a strength and dare i say cohesion about them these days..won't be easy.

[Shugs]

Agreed, this is a dangerous Tigers pack. Not so sure about their backs but I doubt they'll be employed that much. I don't think Henry is great at 10. Will be a really good front row contest - Brookes needs to have a good day.

[Rossm]

I hope Benji feels he has point to prove and puts Wiggle under a lot of pressure

[mike909]

Agreed, this is a dangerous Tigers pack. Not so sure about their backs but I doubt they'll be employed that much. I don't think Henry is great at 10. Will be a really good front row contest - Brookes needs to have a good day.

That matches my thoughts for the game. Be a good day to play a quick game that minimises their pack's influence and moves them about. I think we can do that - and several players ought to be improving in their match fitness too which ought to facilitate that. Forecast for dry but gusty wind from the south.

[coddy]

Not so sure about their backs but I doubt they'll be employed that much.

Hopefully defensibly they will be very busy.