Premium article in today's Telegraph by Ben Coles:
A reunion with in-form Nathan Hughes is the last thing Wasps need, given Dai Young's side head to Ashton Gate on Friday evening already nervously looking over their shoulder at Leicester Tigers and Saracens.
This is Wasps' worst start to a league season since 2008/09 and after such a promising opening salvo against Harlequins last Saturday, when Wasps opened up a 17-0 lead, the following 60 minutes were a disaster, with 10th-placed Wasps slumping to a fifth defeat in six league matches.
Facing Hughes and Bristol, away, is an even steeper challenge. The No 8 has started the season in red-hot form, with no forward beating more defenders or making more carries - in fact Charles Piutau, another former Wasp, is the only player in the Premiership to have touched the ball more - with Hughes seemingly hell-bent on winning back his place in the England squad after being overlooked for the Rugby World Cup. Young, who knows Hughes well after the back-row's six years with Wasps, has taken note of his performances.
"We know Nathan is a good player, that goes without saying. I have seen him a couple of times since he has been there and he is enjoying it. He has a big motivation to get back into that England squad as well. Not going to the World Cup hurt him, to be honest. Prior to that he had been selected in almost every squad that Eddie Jones had picked," Young notes.
"He is a fantastic ball-carrier. In fairness to Bristol, they tend to move him about a little bit, so it is very hard to pin down what channel he is coming down. Charles Piutau, Alapati Leiua, there are a couple of players that we know from their Wasps days. It will be great to see them after the game, but hopefully we can get one over them in the game."
There was no hiding Young's pain in the aftermath of that Harlequins defeat, having watched his side concede 28 unanswered points. He commented afterwards that Christmas was cancelled.
Fly-half Lima Sopoaga remains unavailable, after not facing Harlequins due to illness, with Nizaam Carr's selection at No 8 being the only change made by Young, as Wasps look for a first win in the Premiership since the start of November. Bristol make two changes, centre Leiua and lock Dave Attwood coming back into their starting XV.
"Where we are, every game is going to be big for us," Young admits. "It is all about getting as many points as quickly as possible. We know what quality Bristol have and how tough they are at home. We went down there last year and won, so we know we can do it. There will be lots of disappointment after the defeat to Harlequins, but if we can replicate that first 20 minutes over 80 minutes, I am confident we can win.
"This league gets tougher, harder every year. You have to try and get at least a losing bonus point, but we are going there to win."
Always a Wasp
Topic: Dai well aware of Nathan Hughes' strengths as Wasps prepare for Bristol test. (Read 2262 times)