Boss: Alfie is ready to raise the Bar once more for Wasps

Rugby Reporter

WASPS’ ‘X-factor’ back-row Alfie Barbeary should be fit for this weekend’s clash with Exeter Chiefs, according to boss Lee Blackett.

Barbeary suffered a syndesmosis injury away at Sale Sharks in December and returned three weeks ago against Newcastle, where he played a starring role from the bench.

But the 20-year-old picked up an injury in his next game against Sale Sharks and missed out on Wasps’ Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Clermont Auvergne.

“He came on against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago and he turned the game,” said Blackett. “We were behind at half-time pretty early and I thought he did a great job coming on and made a great impact.

“And then against Sale I think there were things he could’ve been better at that day, he was a little bit quieter than what he normally is.” Blackett added: “Unfortunately in that [Sale] game really early on he picked up a knock. He’s pretty tough and he just fought his way through it and got through the game. So he probably Alfie Barbeary wasn’t at his best that day.” Loosehead prop Tom West is also back after missing the Clermont Auvergne and Sale Sharks games.

Speaking at the club’s media day ahead of Saturday’s round 16 trip to Sandy Park, Blackett also gave updates on Simon Mcintyre, Tom Cruse (both calf) and Marcus Watson (Achilles).

He said: “Simon, at a push might be back for the Bath game next week. I think realistically Tom’s after that and Marcus might get a couple of games in this year, so yeah they’re not immediate.”