Wasps aim to crash the Robshaw party

WASPS supremo Lee Blackett has called for a huge physical effort at Harlequins tomorrow to lay the ground for a final push into the play-offs.

While a swashbuckling attack has helped Wasps surge seven places since Blackett took over in February, their astonishing revival has also been founded on work-rate – typified by back row warriors Jack Willis, Brad Shields and Thomas Young.

Head coach Blackett told

TRP: “We understand what’s got us to where we are – and that’s how hard we’re working for each other, defensively more than anything.

“It’s shown in how we’re getting ourselves back off the floor, winning collisions – we’ve seen the biggest difference there recently.

“It’s pleasing where we are but we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and keep moving in the right direction because we know what’s coming at Quins.

“It’ll be Chris Robshaw’s last home game and they’ll be motivated to send him away on a high note, so we’ll need to be at our best on Monday night.”

Despite the turmoil surrounding rugby’s financial landscape, Blackett insists his team have not been distracted and are focused on the job in hand.

“We’re too busy with the way the games have been coming to even have conversations about that and we don’t want any distractions from outside,” he said.

“I think everyone understands the situation and the sooner we can get crowds back the better.”

However, with National League rugby postponed until the New Year and the future of the Championship in doubt, former Leeds and Rotherham man Blackett admits to having huge concerns over the future of the player/coach pathway.

He added: “I’m a big advocate of the Championship. I obviously came through it and people like Tom Cruse, our hooker, played for Rotherham and Macclesfield, so it would be very disappointing if anything happens to those lower levels.

“The biggest thing for young players is getting to play in the National Leagues because it develops them quicker, so it would be gutting.”