Saints clash is must-win, insists Young

WASPS face a campaign-defining 80 minutes when they host Midlands rivals Northampton Saints in their final Aviva Premiership home game of the season on Saturday.

With the current play-off race being the most open in years, the round 21 clash is pivotal for the Coventry-based team. Five clubs retain realistic hopes of joining Exeter and Saracens in the final four, and if Wasps are to make a third consecutive play-off appearance next month they simply cannot afford a slip-up at the Ricoh.

The black-and-golds have suffered an injury-plagued campaign but despite this, a win against Northampton – 48 hours after closest rivals Leicester and Newcastle also meet – will leave the black-and-golds in control of their semi-final destiny.

Wasps rugby director Dai Young says home advantage must be made to count following recent agonising last-minute, one-point defeats at Leicester and Sale.

“We played well for most of the game against Worcester last week, and now we need to back that up when Saints come to the Ricoh,” he said.

“We know we have to win our home games and to be honest if we can’t manage that then it comes to a point where you don’t deserve a place in the top four.

“We have got to win against Northampton, then after that we may have to go to Newcastle and get something there.

“If someone else does us a favour then happy days, but it’s about us really. We’ve got to look to win two games and we know if we do then we will be in the last semi-finals.”

Defending champions Exeter clinched a home semi-final with three games remaining, and outgoing European Cup holders Saracens will join them if they beat – and in the process relegate – London Irish on Sunday afternoon.

Young acknowledges that a home semi-final now looks unlikely, but he also believes his team has the potential to beat all-comers on their day, regardless of venue.

“We have two cup finals now,” he said. “I know that’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s how we’re all looking at it.

“If we then get in the play-offs it may be that a home leg is a bit beyond us, but I think we are capable of going anywhere and getting results.”

Wasps will be without four forwards – Nathan Hughes, James Gaskell, Matt Symons, and Alex Rieder – for the Northampton clash, but will have England quartet Matt Mullan, Taylor, Joe Launchbury and James Haskell at their disposal. Behind the scrum, Rob Miller (knee) and Marcus Watson (ankle) will miss out, but Kyle Eastmond is available after suspension.