GOPPERTH RETURNS

JIMMY Gopperth makes his first Premiership start for Wasps since May 2018 when he lines up at inside centre to face Bath at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon.

The 36-year-old is joined in the backs division by Matteo Minozzi, who has returned from Italy’s World Cup campaign to make his Wasps debut at full-back. Fellow new signing, Paolo Odogwu starts on the wing for his first Premiership minutes in Black and Gold.

The only change in Wasps’ pack to the one which suffered defeat at Gloucester last time out is Will Rowlands coming in for his first appearance of the season. Rowlands has recovered from his calf injury.

Tom Cruse, who missed out at Kingsholm, returns to the bench.

Wasps boss Dai Young said “I came into this season under no illusions. I know how tough it’s going to be and we’re going to have to scrap in every game for results and we’re no different to a lot of teams.

“Bath have a strong forward pack and ground out a fantastic win over Exeter Chiefs last weekend which is no mean feat. They have some talented individuals within their backline too so it’s going to be another massive challenge.

“The important thing is to get a win on the table as soon as we can and start building momentum.”

WASPS: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Paolo Odogwu, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Dan Robson (c), 1 Zurabi Zhvania, 2 Tommy Taylor, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 James Gaskell, 5 Will Rowlands, 6 Brad Shields, 7 Nizaam Carr, 8 Sione Vailanu.

Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19 Thibaud Flament, 20 Ash Johnson, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Michael Le Bourgeois.