Teams Up for Wuss - Josh Back, Matteo at FB.

[Rossm]

Lee Blackett has named his Wasps side to travel to Sixways to take on Worcester Warriors in Gallagher Premiership Round Nine on Sunday. 

There are six changes to the starting line-up from the Round Eight fixture against Northampton Saints.

Josh Bassett is back from injury to start on the left wing. Bassett’s return sees Matteo Minozzi switch to full back. The rest of the backline is unchanged.

Tom West returns from the England Six Nations squad to start at loosehead prop. West is joined in the front row by Tommy Taylor and Kieran Brookes.

Levi Douglas and James Gaskell make up the second-row pairing.

Brad Shields captains the side once more and is joined in the back row by Ben Morris at openside flanker and Tom Willis at number eight.

Amongst the replacements Sione Vailanu is in line for his first appearance of the season.

Paolo Odogwu, Dan Robson and Jack Willis remain away with England, while Will Rowlands is with Wales for their Six Nations campaigns.

Wasps team to face Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium on Sunday in Gallagher Premiership Round Nine (kick-off 1:00 pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Matteo Minozzi (24)

14 Zach Kibirige (34)

13 Malakai Fekitoa (25)

12 Jimmy Gopperth (116)

11 Josh Bassett (135)

10 Charlie Atkinson (

9 Sam Wolstenholme (16)

1 Tom West (42)

2 Tommy Taylor (79)

3 Kieran Brookes (50)

4 Levi Douglas (5)

5 James Gaskell (130)

6 Brad Shields (38) (c)

7 Ben Morris (37)

8 Tom Willis (30)

 

Replacements

16 Tom Cruse (92)

17 Ben Harris (69)

18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen (31)

19 Theo Vukasinovic (

20 Sione Vailanu (20)

21 Ben Vellacott (12)

22 Jacob Umaga (37)

23 Michael Le Bourgeois (45)

[Neils]

Not bad. Good to Theo getting a second chance. Quite a good bench. AND great to have Josh back.

[Rossm]

Tough on Rob Miller - unless he got a knock last week.

[Rossm]

Wuss | 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Nick David, 10 Jamie Shillcock, 9 Gareth Simpson, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Isaac Miller, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Graham Kitchener, 5 Justin Clegg, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Cornell du Preez.

Replacements | 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Oli Morris.

[hookender]

Good to see Morris get starting position.

[Shugs]

Got to say if Miller is not injured that's incredibly harsh on him. I probably rate him as the most complete full back we have and I thought he had a great game last week.

[Neils]

Got to say if Miller is not injured that's incredibly harsh on him. I probably rate him as the most complete full back we have and I thought he had a great game last week.

Totally agree - strange omit.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Got to say if Miller is not injured that's incredibly harsh on him. I probably rate him as the most complete full back we have and I thought he had a great game last week.

Totally agree - strange omit.

Indeed. No explanation of why one of the best players on the day was replaced and now this.  If it isn’t injury it doesn’t look good for his future at the club. 

Odd to hope someone is injured. 

[Peej]

Would have been stronger with Oghre, but not bad at all really. Surprised Vellacott isn't starting, and would have gone with Booj's physicality, but suppose we need Jimmy's kicking.

Worcester don't look the strongest but they are our bogey side for sure.

[Rossm]

Comment by BB:

No Rob Miller or Tim Cardall

It was perhaps a surprise to many to not see Rob Miller nor Tim Cardall in the 23-man Wasps squad.

As I understand it, neither were injured related.

Josh Bassett’s return was inevitable, he’s so key for Wasps. But still, you fancied Miller to keep the 15 shirt.

Worcester do have pace outwide and the Italian does provide a decent last-line of defence and can cover a couple of bases.

In the case of Cardall, Wasps maybe needed a few more KGs in their scrum and Levi Douglas certainly offers them that.

Michael Le Bourgeois’ versatility and impact from the bench probably gave him the nod over Miller, with Jacob Umaga having the fly-half spot covered.

Dropping Umaga from the 23-man squad altogether must’ve been considered, but I am glad he remains in the squad.

The only way he can turn the corner is by doing what he does out there on the pitch.

[WonkyWasp]

 .........  and ignoring Eddie Jones (just my  opinion).

[Chunky24]

Would have been stronger with Oghre, but not bad at all really. Surprised Vellacott isn't starting, and would have gone with Booj's physicality, but suppose we need Jimmy's kicking.

Worcester don't look the strongest but they are our bogey side for sure.

While those changes seemed possible keeping a half back and centre combination for more than one game in a row also seems sensible and recently unusual!

[coddy]

Yes very unlucky for Rob Miller, a player that never has a bad game.

It was either him, Josh or Matteo which is a decision I'm glad I didn't have to make.

[Horusthewasp]

Echoing the sentiments about Miller. Really disappointing.

Wuss | 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Nick David, 10 Jamie Shillcock, 9 Gareth Simpson, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Isaac Miller, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Graham Kitchener, 5 Justin Clegg, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Cornell du Preez.

Replacements | 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Marc Thomas, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Oli Morris.

Didn’t Ashton sign on with immediate effect? Would of thought he’d make the 23 instead of some of the relatively inexperienced selections they’ve made.

[hookender]

Yes you’re right Horus.
 He wasn’t in their team last week, I assumed it was bit a bit tight for their training schedule, but maybe an injury issue?