ZP Preview: Sale Confident of Besting London Wasps

Watch and learn
By General Sup
September 11 2004

Sale are the first visitors to the Lost Causeway as a depleted London Wasps look for a first win of the new season. The bookies have us as clear favourites and the away supporters saw last week's defeat from the jaws of victory as a shock. We knew better...

London Wasps current lack of depth in key positions will make for another close game. The weather seems to be holding up, so Wasps must control the ball in the two key areas: the set piece in the tight, and the rush defence to cut out Sale's potential game-breakers out wide.

Phillippe St. André won't be underestimating London Wasps lack of depth though. He will expect London Wasps to avoid a bruising confrontation in the tight-five and won't expect so much go-forward ball from his pack. If Sale can't find width through handling, expect Hodgson to put the ball over our backs, and expect him to punish our transgressions if we can't reduce the penalty count in our half.

London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen; 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Ayoola Erinle, 12 Peter Richards, 11 Tom Voyce; 10 Alex King, 9 Matt Dawson; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Ben Gotting, 3 Will Green, 4 George Skivington, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Joe Worsley , 7 Jonny O’ Connor, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt.).

Bench: 16 Phil Greening, 17 Alistair McKenzie, 18 Rob Hoadley, 19 John Hart, 20 Mark Lock, 21 Matt Priscott, 22 James Brook.

Sale Sharks: 15 Jason Robinson (Capt.); 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Jos Baxendell, 12 Robert Todd, 11 Steve Hanley; 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Sililo Martens; 1 Andrew Sheridan, 2 Andy Titterell, 3 Stuart Turner, 4 Dean Schofield, 5 Pierre Caillet, 6 Chris Jones, 7 Magnus Lund, 8 Sebastian Chabal.

Bench (from): Trevor Woodman, Sebastian Bruno, Barry Stewart, Chris Day, Peter Anglesea, Jason White, Mike Hercus, Bryan Redpath, Chris Rhys Jones, Chris Mayor.