Costello’s crusade to bring better balance to Wasps’ attack and defence

WASPS have recalled a host of big names for the showdown with Bristol following last Sunday’s 15-14 defeat to Northampton.

Despite that loss, defence coach Ian Costello saw positives against Saints and said: “Last week was the most controlling performance we’ve had for a while.

“We got ourselves into a very dominant position but we let the game get away from us with mistakes at the end. That is the disappointing thing, it’s those fine margins we need to learn.

“One of the key focuses I wanted to achieve was for us to have the same levels of excitement around our defence as we do in our attack. It’s all about making sure we have a balance to our game.

“Defensively it’s about keeping the faith in what we are trying to do and constantly working on the fundamentals. We need to make sure we build strong habits so we’re a lot more consistent under pressure and under fatigue.”

Josh Bassett, Lima Sopoaga and Joe Simpson return to the backline while Simon McIntyre, Tom Cruse, James Gaskell and Thomas Young are restored to the pack.

Bassett is named in the

back three alongside Marcus Watson and skipper Rob Miller, while Ross Neal keeps his place in the centres after impressing in recent weeks. Sopoaga and Simpson re-form their halfback partnership.

Tighthead Jake CooperWoolley keeps his place alongside McIntyre and Cruse while Gaskell partners Charlie Matthews in the second row.

Young, Ben Morris and academy No.8 Tom Willis – who impressed last weekend as he scored against Northampton – are named in the back row.

Charles Piutau and Aly Muldowney make their first competitive starts for Bristol. The Bears make nine changes from the team that defeated Gloucester, with Will Hurrell also returning to the backline.

In the pack, Yann Thomas, Shaun Malton and John Afoa form an allnew front row, while Ed Holmes joins Muldowney in the engine room. Steve Luatua and Jordan Crane come into the back row.

Head coach Pat Lam said: “After the positive result last weekend, it’s vital we keep showing improvements as a team.

“This is our last opportunity to fine-tune different areas of our game with the Premiership on the horizon. We feel confident, well-rested and there’s a determination in camp.”