Team's Up for Budgies - Jack Starts

[Rossm]

15 Willie Le Roux (49)
14 Marcus Watson (22)
13 Juan de Jongh (42)
12 Gaby Lovobalavu (28)
11 Josh Bassett (98)
10 Rob Miller (97)
9 Joe Simpson (250)
1 Ben Harris (41)
2 Tommy Taylor (45)
3 Will Stuart (29)
4 Will Rowlands (69)
5 James Gaskell (103)
6 Ashley Johnson (c) (180)
7 Jack Willis (35)
8 Nizaam Carr (30)

Replacements
16 Tom Cruse (56)
17 Tom West (12)
18 Biyi Alo (1)
19 Charlie Matthews (12)
20 Ben Morris (14)
21 Craig Hampson (29)
22 Jacob Umaga (7)
23 Ross Neal (10)

Springbok Willie Le Roux will make his 50th appearance for Wasps this Saturday when he steps out at Ricoh Arena to take on Newcastle Falcons in Round 16 of the Gallagher Premiership (kick-off 2pm).

Meanwhile, Wasps are forced into one change to the starting line-up as Jack Willis comes in for Thomas Young (hip) ahead of an all-important clash, as Wasps look to hunt down the play-off places and Newcastle fight to avoid the drop.

Back row Ben Morris comes into the replacements while Academy fly half Jacob Umaga is also named on the bench and could make his Premiership debut.

The rest of the matchday 23 remains unchanged from last weekend’s outing at Leicester Tigers.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “This is a massive game and we have to win to stay in the mix for the top four really, although we do have to still play the teams around us.

“Newcastle are scrapping for their lives as are most teams in the league at the moment – it’s that tight.

“Every game is huge, every bonus point. It’s not just about picking up points but restricting others from getting points too so it’s all to play for.

“We owe it to the fans and to ourselves to get back on track at home. We value playing at the Ricoh. We have a fantastic stadium and fantastic support.

“We have to start well and get the crowd behind us and once they’re involved they play a big part.”

[Rossm]

Budgies:

15 Simon Hammersley

14 Zach Kibirige

13 Johnny Williams

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Sinoti Sinoti

10 Toby Flood

9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Sam Lockwood

2 George McGuigan

3 Logovi'i Mulipola

4 Calum Green

5 Andrew Davidson

6 Will Welch (captain)

7 Gary Graham

8 Callum Chick

Replacements

16 Kyle Cooper

17 Adam Brocklebank

18 David Wilson

19 Evan Olmstead

20 Nemani Nagusa

21 Sam Stuart

22 Brett Connon

23 Pedro Bettencourt

[RogerE]

Just an aside - my granddaughter will be attending as it's what she wants as part of her 4th birthday pressie.

Does anyone know who to contact to get a birthday greeting message on the big screen?

[Neils]

There is usually a tweet on match days asking for people to put forward names etc. I would check back on the timeline a couple of weeks and see what they said about contacting them. Also think there are details in the programme - if you have one check an old one.
Or maybe someone knows who to contact.

[Chunky24]

You can tweet with the #wasvnew and they put a selection up usually including birthdays, although I tweeted my daughter's birthday for last game and my lad with his broken leg, he got on the screen she didn't, guess who wasn't popular!
Other option is email wasps community / Verity, she will either sort it or point you in the right direction.

[RogerE]

Cheers folks - I refuse to do that Twitter thing. so I'll try emailing Wasps

[BG]

The best squad we could expect from who is available.

Another start for Watson... given more opportunity to impress Dai and get a contract extension.

How many games on the trot is that for Marcus.. ?

[RBB]

The issue for me is Gaby, he has been poor and profligate recently. Where is Michael Le Bourgeois (not in Ambrose Curtis corner I hope), have I missed an injury update?

I suppose Neal and Umaga are offering the cover for the backs from the bench. I hope Miller plays like he did against Tigers, he was excellent.

The forwards cover from the bench looks good as well.

[mike909]

I was wondering about MleB too - sterling effort early season - needed a break - now where?

[Neils]

MLB was injured but must be fit now.

[Neils]

Cheers folks - I refuse to do that Twitter thing. so I'll try emailing Wasps

Neither do I but I do check it from time to time. You do not need an account if the user has an open thread line.

[Hymenoptera]

MLB has been a bit of a turnstile in defence, after a few good showings he went off the boil...

[mike909]

That's partly to be expected on stepping up and having to play every week. I thought his defence was no worse (damning with faint praise - I know!) than the team and he shouldered a lot more responsibility that ideal - first prem season.

[Hymenoptera]

Mitigating circumstances perhaps, but they don't change the result.

He's been caught for a couple of clangers..not that he's alone of course. Maybe a refocus is on the cards..who knows.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I think Dai said he was picking from 25 available main squad players, but Umaga is Academy, are any of the others in the 23? Not sure he had many 'choices'. Nothing much in that lack of choice has changed all season. True, we have, what, seven out to international duty? So that means Dai will have 32 when they are all returned (with luck), and with luck one or two back, like Alex and Jimmy. The light at the end of that tunnel seems to be getting bigger. Dai seemed to suggest that he thought top 4 was still on, but not if we lose tomorrow.