Wasps seek short-term signing for Northampton Saints game

[Rossm]

Report by Bobby Bridge and Adam Dickinson:

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-injury-updates-northampton-saints-19752717

[Neils]

We be threadbare!!

[hookender]

Fingers crossed for chesty and shields

[Shugs]

Good news re Shields and McIntyre. Before he went off McIntyre was putting some big hits in on Sunday. Sounds like a one game gig on the bench as LH for Saints.

[mike909]

Be interesting to see who is around for a game.

Those just back from injury will be more up to speed for this weekend and whilst I have applauded our ability to play as a squad - I was probably not taking into account just how many players we were missing/getting a first game back, last weekend.

Certainly it's a blow when Bassett is missing, one of the seniors now and rarely lets us down. Selection will be important this weekend - especially in terms of back three....who last week did seem to have only been introduced in the car park pre game. And per the other thread - SH needs a change

[Shugs]

Yes, for me Kibirige stays where he was, we don't have much choice but to keep Minozzi on the wing although I much prefer him at FB and then I think Miller at FB.

[mike909]

Yes, for me Kibirige stays where he was, we don't have much choice but to keep Minozzi on the wing although I much prefer him at FB and then I think Miller at FB.

100% on Zach and yes, Miller at FB. No real choice. Look forwards to Ryan being fit. Might be looking for further wing squad depth if Watson is going to be a problem

[HDAWG]

Yes, for me Kibirige stays where he was, we don't have much choice but to keep Minozzi on the wing although I much prefer him at FB and then I think Miller at FB.

100% on Zach and yes, Miller at FB. No real choice. Look forwards to Ryan being fit. Might be looking for further wing squad depth if Watson is going to be a problem

Sirker hasn't been given a run yet. Maybe he should be given ago. I understand the hesitation, but you don't know until you try him.

[Neils]

Yes, for me Kibirige stays where he was, we don't have much choice but to keep Minozzi on the wing although I much prefer him at FB and then I think Miller at FB.

100% on Zach and yes, Miller at FB. No real choice. Look forwards to Ryan being fit. Might be looking for further wing squad depth if Watson is going to be a problem

Sirker hasn't been given a run yet. Maybe he should be given ago. I understand the hesitation, but you don't know until you try him.

Not sure I would give someone "a go" in a match we need to win.

[Nigel Med]

I thought we particularly missed Basset. I'm preying that he recovers in time so we can pick him and Kibirigi, two wingers on the wing; unconventional I know... then I'd have Minozzi at Full Back. I really like Miller and it was great to see him back, he did ok bar the no arms tackle but Minozzi is an international standard full back. Bench for Lima, he can add impact if we're ahead or on level terms but he's not a starter for me.

Really hope Chesty is fit, if so he starts with Brookes on the other side. That gives us a powerful scrum, Toomaga-Allen is great in the loose but isn't close to Brookes at scrummaging, another one who adds real impact off the bench.

If Shields was only a bit of cramp he should be fine. I would make him skipper as Thomas is likely to be out.

[Peej]

Thing is, with the bubbles etc, can we bring someone in? I think we have to, but it's an extreme situation. Are any LHs even training in the Championship?

[mike909]

It's easy with hindsight....but I so think that we were probably expecting a difficult game for both the obvious reason (of Quins likely bounce) and also that we were essentially playing a lot of people with little recent game time, out of postions and missing key senior players.

It was far too easy (I did exactly this ) to expect that the players coming back from injury would be up to speed as we've shown good "squad form". But that was during a period when we were playing lots of games and needed to rotate players. Not in a bit of broken period and with 4 of 7 backs first game back/first start for ages and a much depleted pack, weakened in game by 2 injuries.

So - lets just hope for the best this w/e....going to be a hard game

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Yes, for me Kibirige stays where he was, we don't have much choice but to keep Minozzi on the wing although I much prefer him at FB and then I think Miller at FB.

100% on Zach and yes, Miller at FB. No real choice. Look forwards to Ryan being fit. Might be looking for further wing squad depth if Watson is going to be a problem

Sirker hasn't been given a run yet. Maybe he should be given ago. I understand the hesitation, but you don't know until you try him.

Not sure I would give someone "a go" in a match we need to win.

That's the attitude that lead to Dai leaving.

[Neils]

Yes, for me Kibirige stays where he was, we don't have much choice but to keep Minozzi on the wing although I much prefer him at FB and then I think Miller at FB.

100% on Zach and yes, Miller at FB. No real choice. Look forwards to Ryan being fit. Might be looking for further wing squad depth if Watson is going to be a problem

Sirker hasn't been given a run yet. Maybe he should be given ago. I understand the hesitation, but you don't know until you try him.

Not sure I would give someone "a go" in a match we need to win.

That's the attitude that lead to Dai leaving.

Disagree in this instance - a very good 7s player not previously tried in this level of 15s against the knarley veterans in the Saints team currently on a slight "high". We know he is fast but can he tackle repeatedly. It is a shame for the likes of him that the A League is no more to get game time but throwing him into the team at this moment - please no.

[baldpaul101]

Who's in the team matters less than playing with a completely different mid set to last week. Wasps could field their strongest team with all injured & international players in it & if they played like Sunday, they would lose.
Sort out the focus & the mindset & you can pick whoever from the squad (technical positions like prop excepted)

I personally don't want to see Wasps select a "safe" side. With the exception of a few fringe players either still in the academy or only recently promoted, there shouldn't be anyone in the squad who can't step up.