Teams Up for Hairy Queens - Paolo and Malakai are the Centres

[Rossm]

 

Lee Blackett has named his Wasps side to travel to The Twickenham Stoop and take on Harlequins in Gallagher Premiership Round 18 on Sunday.

There are three personnel changes and three positional switches from the starting line-up that won against Bath Rugby last time out.

In the pack James Gaskell returns from injury, to form the second-row partnership with Will Rowlands.

Brad Shields captains the side and shifts to blindside flanker, so that Tom Willis can start at number eight. Thomas Young completes the back row at openside flanker.

The front row of Tom West, Tommy Taylor and Kieran Brookes is unchanged.

The only new addition to the backline sees Zach Kibirige start on the right wing. That change sees Paolo Odogwu switch to outside centre, as he forms a power-packed centre partnership with Malakai Fekitoa, who starts at inside centre for the first time in his Wasps career.

Rob Miller joins Kibirige in the back three, as he starts at full back and Josh Bassett is included once more on the left wing.

Dan Robson and Jacob Umaga form an unchanged half-back partnership.

There is also a welcome return from injury for Simon McIntyre, who is named amongst the replacements. He is joined on the bench by Tim Cardall, Ben Morris and Michael Le Bourgeois.

Wasps team to face Harlequins at The Twickenham Stoop on Sunday in Gallagher Premiership Round 18 (kick-off 3:00pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Rob Miller (121)

14 Zach Kibirige (44)

13 Paolo Odogwu (20)

12 Malakai Fekitoa (34)

11 Josh Bassett (145)

10 Jacob Umaga (45)

9 Dan Robson (132)

1 Tom West (50)

2 Tommy Taylor (88)

3 Kieran Brookes (56)

4 Will Rowlands (108)

5 James Gaskell (136)

6 Brad Shields (48)

7 Thomas Young (136)

8 Tom Willis (37)

 

Replacements

16 Gabriel Oghre (41)

17 Simon McIntyre (179)

18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen (40)

19 Tim Cardall (26)

20 Ben Morris (41)

21 Will Porter (30)

22 Charlie Atkinson (11)

23 Michael Le Bourgeois (55)

   

[Neils]

Interesting selection with our limited availability.  Interesting to see the centre partnership mooted by many so hope it doesn't come back and bite us.

[Rossm]

I'm glad to see Zach back starting.

[RogerE]

With the resources available I like that team.

Hope they can keep young Marcus under control!

[Rossm]

And the oppo.

HARLEQUINS’ COACHING TEAM HAVE MADE THREE CHANGES TO THE TEAM THIS WEEK AS THE CLUB HOST WASPS AT THE STOOP

Amongst the three changes, Captain Stephan Lewies returns to start for the first time since March, having made his return from a knee injury against London Irish last time out.

The two further changes come in the shape of Academy product Jack Kenningham at openside in place of injured back row Will Evans, while centre Luke Northmore starts at inside centre in place of the suspended Andre Esterhuizen.

From the bench, Quins Academy product Archie White joins internationals Santiago Garcia Botta, James Lang and Paul Lasike in returning to the matchday 23 as part of the side’s Impact Players.

Commenting, Scrum Coach Adam Jones said: “We enjoyed a good result the last time we faced Wasps, and we fully expect them to come to The Stoop looking to set their record straight.

“Much like ourselves, Wasps like to play some attractive rugby, so there should be some great skills on show this weekend.

“We’ve had the benefit of a week off and are heading into this one fresh and motivated to maintain our momentum as we head towards the end of season run-in.”

Harlequins Starting XV
1. Joe Marler (219)
2. Scott Baldwin (36)
3. Wilco Louw (22)
4. Matt Symons (57)
5. Stephan Lewies (29) - Captain
6. Tom Lawday (33)
7. Jack Kenningham (7)
8. Alex Dombrandt (70)
9. Danny Care (300)
10. Marcus Smith (104)
11. Cadan Murley (45)
12. Luke Northmore (22)
13. Joe Marchant (106)
14. Tyrone Green (15)
15. Mike Brown (350)

Impact Players
16. Joe Gray (167)
17. Santiagio Garcia Botta (32)
18. Will Collier (182)
19. Dino Lamb (41)
20. Archie White (40)
21. Martin Landajo (30)
22. James Lang (78)
23. Paul Lasike (30)

[HDAWG]

Don't believe we've seen Poalo and Fekitoa both at centres, Lee you mad man.

But I'm not sure it'll help too much, ever since they thrashed us they've been a reliable top 4 team. And Smith has been classy as hell. We're going to struggle.

[hookender]

Looks good on paper ,hopefully we can blitz them in first 20 mins or at at least contain their blitz!

[matelot22]

I want to see Malakai make life uncomfortable for Smith by tickling his ribs a little at every opportunity.

Josh Bassett, has he played every game so far this season? An absolute rock in our backs division.

Let's hope we can even things up after the last game, but Quins playing some good rugby ATM, so going to be a tough one.

[Shugs]

Interesting. Pack looks solid. Like others the main thing will be whether the centres work. I wonder how Lee has sold it to Fekitoa? Or whether he was happy to go there. I still think at 13 Odogwu has to brush up on defensive positioning and distribution but I can equally see that this is a good time to let him do just that in the team.

[Steve from Cov]

Two strong squad selections but Quins have looked very good since ditching Gustard.

Really pleased to see Gaskell, Simon and Paolo selections.

Lasike changed the game when we played at the Ricoh at Xmas 2019. (?). Expect the earth to tremor when he runs into Malakai.

Wasps squad - without Joe & Jack - looks strong but Quins look slight favourites for me.

[Sliminator]

If only Gustard would have stayed one more week...

[Bloke in North Dorset]

No Jimmy?

Looking forward to Dobbie V Danny Care.

[InBetweenWasp]

No Esterhuizen is a big one for them (He's still banned, right?).

He managed to really stop Porter/Jacob.  Having Dobbie back will really help as well.

[Brandnewtorugby]

Really like the look of the Wasps team, with all of the injuries I am slightly surprised to see it look so strong. Agree that Quins have looked good and free, a bit like us end of last season. It will be interesting to see how much Esterhuizen was a part of that.

[JonnyD]

Big day for Jacob.
Smith has absolutely outclassed him over the last two or three times they’ve come up against eachother - hope Jacob manages to continue to build on the confidence he showed last week