Juan wins fitness fight but Sopoaga misses out
JUAN de Jongh has recovered in time from his muscle strain to make Wasps’ starting 15 to face Gloucester at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon.
The South African moves across to inside centre with Michael Le Bourgeois dropping to the bench.
However, Dai Young’s side will be without fly-half Lima Sopoaga who has failed to recover from a neck issue picked up against Newcastle Falcons. Billy Searle takes his place.
Christian Wade returns from his belated rest weekend and the England trio of Nathan Hughes, Dan Robson and Elliot Daly have starting roles, with the latter captaining the Black and Golds.
Thomas Young is set to make his first appearance of the season from the bench after overcoming ankle and calf issues, while Craig Hampson is preferred to Joe Simpson as Wasps’ alternative option at scrum half. It’s all change in the front row with Ben Harris, Tommy Taylor and Kieran Brookes starting and Zurabi Zhavania, Tom Cruse and Will Stuart rotated to the bench, which also includes Gaby Lovobalavu for the first time since round two.
De Jongh’s successful recovery from a muscle strain is timely, as it allows Young to place him alongside Searle in the backs.
Michael Le Bourgeois has made a great start to life in the Premiership, but a combination of the former Bedford Blues ace and Searle at 10 and 12 could be targeted by Gloucester. de Jongh’s defensive prowess will be put to the test and will take some of the heat off his fly half.
It’s a big day for Searle who made a strong start to life at Wasps against Worcester Warriors and Exeter Chiefs, tainted only by his interception pass that was gleefully gobbled up by Henry Slade at the Ricoh Arena in round two.
Young’s troops will go up against former player, and September’s Premiership player of the month, Danny Cipriani today – but the boss was keen not to single out any one-single threat for special attention. “Obviously he is a fantastic player, he is going to want to come back and make an impression on the game without a shadow of a doubt,” said Young. “But from our end, if you look through that Gloucester team, he’s one of many threats within that Gloucester team and it would certainly be wrong for us to try and focus on Danny. “They’ve got some massive ball carriers, they’ve really beefed up their pack. We’re going to be tested at setpiece time and we know our defence is going to be tested, not only with the flair that Danny brings to that backline but also the physicality from all those carriers.” The team news from both teams going into this game creates plenty of curiosity. Wasps are not without their front-row issues but can call upon two quality options on either side of the scrum while Simon McIntyre, Jake Cooper-Woolley and Matt Mullan recover from their injuries.
Fraser Balmain’s recovery from a concussion picked up last weekend is key as Gloucester go into this match without props Val Rapava-Ruskin, Paddy McAllister, Gareth Denman and Ruan Dreyer.
Wasps’ scrum has been a real highlight this season with Will Stuart and Kieran Brookes battling it out at tighthead while Zurabi Zhavana and Ben Harris have a similar tussle for the number one shirt.
Experience counts for so much in the front row and this could become an area of great complications for Gloucester.
However, this is countered by Wasps not having Lima Sopoaga at their disposal.
He (Cipriani) is one of many threats within that Glouester team... it would be wrong for us to try and focus on Danny Dai Young