Teams Up for EAs

[Rossm]

Lee Blackett has named his side to face Saracens at StoneX Stadium in Gallagher Premiership Round Six on Sunday.

There are 12 personnel changes from the physical encounter with Exeter last week.

Short-term signings Sebastian de Chaves and Alex McHenry will make their Wasps debuts.

McHenry is joined in the centres by Will Simonds, who makes his first Premiership start at 12.

Francois Hougaard also makes his first start for Wasps. His half-back partner is Jimmy Gopperth who captains the team at fly-half.

There is an all-new starting front-row, Tom West and Tom Cruse return to the side after injuries. Joining them in the front row is Pieter Scholtz.

Nizaam Carr starts his first game since returning to the Club. The number eight has Ben Morris and Thomas Young, who keeps his place at seven, in the back-row alongside him.

In the back three Ali Crossdale starts at full back against his old side. Matteo Minozzi makes his first appearance of the season on the left wing, while Zach Kibirige keeps his place on the right wing.

Debutant de Chaves is joined in the second row by Tim Cardall.

On the bench, Will Holling is in line to make his Wasps debut. The 24-year-old hooker has joined the Club on a short-term loan deal from Doncaster Knights. Joining him amongst the replacements are Elliot Millar-Mills, Tommy Mathews and Luke Mehson, who are also in line to make their Wasps debuts.

Wasps team to face Saracens at StoneX Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3:00pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Ali Crossdale (4)

14 Zach Kibirige (51)

13 Alex McHenry (0)

12 Will Simonds (5)

11 Matteo Minozzi (31)

10 Jimmy Gopperth (132) (c)

9 Francois Hougaard (1)

1 Tom West (55)

2 Tom Cruse (102)

3 Pieter Scholtz (2)

4 Sebastian de Chaves (0)

5 Tim Cardall (32)

6 Ben Morris (45)

7 Thomas Young (142)

8 Nizaam Carr (58)

Replacements

16 Will Holling (0)

17 Robin Hislop (4)

18 Elliot Millar-Mills (0)

19 Elliott Stooke (4)

20 Kieran Curran (1)

21 Will Porter (32)

22 Tommy Mathews (0)

23 Luke Mehson (0)

Unavailable: Charlie Atkinson, Alfie Barbeary, Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Frost, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Joe Launchbury, Michael Le Bourgeois, Rob Miller, Ryan Mills, Paolo Odogwu, Gabriel Oghre, Dan Robson, Sam Spink, Theo Vukasinovic, Jack Willis.

[Neils]

What a very interesting selection!!

[Rossm]

Dobbie listed as 'unavailable'. Does that mean he's injured?

[baldpaul101]

what happened to the loan hooker form last week?
and whats up with Dan Robson, listed on the unavailable list.

This is huge gamble, (injuries & unavailability aside) lets hope Wasps get something out of it!

[Neils]

Seeing the full strength EA team I feel we are in for a pounding. After last time they have something to prove and that team will do it for them.
At least some lads will get to experience a half built stadium (small) atmosphere.  Hopefully not too many damaged by the plastic (or Farrell).

[mike909]

Ok - interesting use of resources. V sensible given the games coming up. But that's not a front 5 lacking in bulk or experience and that front row is unlikely to give anything away. It's a quality backrow too - that I'd be happy with most weeks.

The backs are more of a gamble. Depending upon who the EA's put out, we will need our centres, defensively, to gel v quickly. Both will be keen to make an impression and neither are shrinking violets....Jimmy at 10 does suggest looking to play a managed game and that's more than enough pace out wide should the opportunity present.

LBP and no injuries would be like a win.....

[will311293]

I actually think this is not a bad team to put out.

Some interesting talent across the board and looking forward to seeing Millar-Mills, McHenry, Simmonds, Hougarrd, Mehson etc get a game.

Also when did we sign young Will Holling from Knights?

[Sliminator]

Pretty decent, the lack of experience in the centres is a worry, lets hope that they grab their chance with both hands.

[Steve from Cov]

I’m guessing Will Holling is a very new signing??

In any case I hope we throw the kitchen sink at this one. We have nothing to lose.

[baldpaul101]

Ben Harris on the injured list too?

[bigad82]

what happened to the loan hooker form last week?
and whats up with Dan Robson, listed on the unavailable list.

This is huge gamble, (injuries & unavailability aside) lets hope Wasps get something out of it!

I did notice Robson limping when he went off last week.

[hookender]

On paper looks a good First 15, but fear if we have to make replacements early.

Just do your best lads, less than 4 tries conceded will be a ‘win’ in my eyes

[Marlow Nick]

13 of the 23 have a grand total of 21 Wasps appearances between them. Forget the result. All we need is to finish the match with no more injuries. 🤕

[WaspsUpNorth]

Good luck to all the Wasps heading to Barnet, they may need it.  However, that Unavailable XVI looks pretty damn good and would be a match for anyone (apart from the fact they are unavailable).

[Horusthewasp]

Ben Harris on the injured list too?

He had a serious black eye at the end of the Exeter game. Hope it’s just letting that heal rather than a more sinister injury like a fractured eye socket or something.