Challenge laid down for Wasps’ fringe contingent
DAI Young is calling on Wasps’ fringe players seize the opportunity against Northampton Saints and put their hand up for bigger challenges ahead.
The Black and Golds are set to thrust Billy Searle, Charlie Matthews, Kearnan Myall, Gaby Lovobalabu, Ambrose Curtis into action during Sunday’s Premiership Cup clash at the Ricoh Arena.
Also bolstering the matchday squad will be Simon McIntyre and Jake Cooper-Woolley as they return from injuries to play their first minutes of the season.
“This week it will be much more of a mixed team.” said Young. “Fringe players from the first team who haven’t had much rugby will be involved.
“There will be mixture of Academy players involved as well but predominantly more recognised names who haven’t had has as much rugby as they would like.”
He added: “It gives them a real opportunity to put their hands up and put some pressure on moving forward.”
Wasps kicked off their Premiership Cup campaign with a 31-7 defeat away at Gloucester last Saturday, when only one senior squad member of 42 was deployed.
Young was absent during his week off from day-to-day duties but returned this week and emphasised the role the Premiership Cup has in preparing his Wasps squad for the seven remaining Premiership and European games this year.
“In the first round we pretty much played our Academy team, the team that would normally play A team rugby for us and give them an opportunity to play some ‘big time rugby’. It was a little bit disappointing, not necessarily because of the result, but mainly with the performance last week. Jon and the Academy coaches were pretty disappointed but we move on.
“Every game in this competition you have a slightly different agenda but you like to think you are coming out of it having a worth while competition.
“Due to the injuries we’ve had this year a few guys have played more rugby than I would’ve liked so it gives us an opportunity to give them a rest as well.”