Teams Up Early for Wuss

[Rossm]

Malakai set for Wasps debut in push for semi-finals. Billy starts, Lima on the bench

15 Rob Miller (105)

14 Marcus Watson (31)

13 Malakai Fekitoa (0)

12 Juan de Jongh (50)

11 Josh Bassett (106)

10 Billy Searle (14)

9 Dan Robson (C) (97)

1 Zurabi Zhvania (25)

2 Tom Cruse (64)

3 Kieran Brookes (20)

4 Tim Cardall (5)

5 Charlie Matthews (16)

6 Brad Shields (16)

7 Jack Willis (38)

8 Sione Vailanu (3)

 

Replacements

16 Tommy Taylor (50)

17 Ben Harris (46)

18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen (2)

19 Theo Vukasinovic (1)

20 Nizaam Carr (39)

21 Sam Wolstenholme (3)

22 Lima Sopoaga (25)

23 Michael Le Bourgeois (17)

New Zealand World Cup-winner Malakai Fekitoa is set to make his Wasps debut on Saturday as Wasps take on Worcester Warriors in Round 4 of the Premiership Rugby Cup at Ricoh Arena (kick-off 3pm).

Both Wasps and Worcester are still in the hunt for a semi-final place in the competition but either side require a win in their Derby Day fixture and will have to hope other results go their way if they are to make the knockout stages.

Fekitoa will link up with Juan de Jongh in the Wasps midfield, while skipper Dan Robson returns to the starting line-up at scrum-half alongside Billy Searle at stand-off, who makes his first start since February.

Josh Bassett and Marcus Watson are restored to the side, starting on the wings, with Rob Miller at full-back.

In the pack, Georgia international Zurabi Zhvania lines up next to Tom Cruse and Kieran Brookes in the front-row, with Tim Cardall partnering Charlie Matthews in the second-row.

England’s Brad Shields starts in the back-row alongside Jack Willis and Tonga international Sione Vailanu.

Fekitoa’s fellow All Black Lima Sopoaga is also set for his first appearance of the season, after recovering from injury to be named among the replacements.

Internationals Tommy Taylor, Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Nizaam Carr are also named on the Wasps bench.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “One of the priorities of this competition was to give everybody an opportunity and we’ve achieved that. Everybody that’s been available has played and it’s allowed us to look at different combinations.

“The first performance was poor against Saracens but the last two have been a lot better. Both games were close and could’ve gone either way and we’ve been very competitive in both.

“Some boys have put their hands up and hopefully now we can finish off with a win this weekend and that’ll take us where it takes us.”

[BG]

So that answers the questions about 12 if this is currently Dai's preferred squad. JdJ and Booj

[Rossm]

Very tasty back row and with Nemo on the bench.

[mike909]

Looking forwards to seeing our NZ centre, but that's near first choice back three and a very decent front row and back row, linked with Dan at 9, so we're taking this pretty seriously

I hope Lima gets on and that we can see even more of the constructive play we've seen in patches. 12 does still concern me, but the potential to play is there.

I'd also hope that Matthews will show more around the pitch and the back rowers encourage him.

[Westy68]

The 2nd row for me is our weak spot. Front row and back row look really good.

This team is surly good enough to win, especially at home. Lose this would not be great for confidence

[BG]

For a one off game I think Matthews and Cardall can hold their own.. unless we get some of our injured 2nd row back soon though we may start to struggle. Glad to see Theo Vukasinovic on the bench.

I do wonder if, because of last season results, the team feels slightly nervous and under pressure to perform and get results at home?

I think Tiggers suffered from the same last season.

[Heathen]

Wuss team :

15 Chris Pennell
14 Perry Humphreys
13 Ollie Lawrence
12 Ryan Mills
11 Melani Nanai

10 Duncan Weir
9 Francois Hougaard

1 Ethan Waller
2 Niall Annett
3 Conor Carey
4 Anton Bresler
5 Andrew Kitchener
6 Ted Hill
7 Marco Mama
8 GJ Van Velze (C)

Finishers

16 Isaac Mller
17 Callum Black
18 Richard Palframan
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Sam Lewis
21 Jono Kitto
22 Jono Lance
23 Tom Howe

[BG]

I don't know how Wuss are fairing with availability but I think that's close to their strongest side as well.

The spine of Velze, Hougaard, Weir and Mills is pretty impressive.

[Shugs]

Really looking forward to seeing this and that is a strong squad. Our back row options are fantastic and it will be interesting to see how the centre combination goes. Nice to see Searle back and fingers crossed for no injuries.