The Insects at the Madstad

By BrianC
December 24 2003

The next two games we play will in all likelihood define our premiership season. If we win both we will be in clear second with only eight games to go. Should we lose them both we'll most likely end up lower mid table.

London Irish vs Wasps 

Madejski Stadium, Saturday 27th December, KO 14:45

Our visitors this week are the team who sit one place and one point above us in the ZP table, Wasps. In previous seasons Wasps performances seemed to fall off badly in the absence of their inspirational captain Laurence Daglallio.  Despite his absence for most of this season on England duty, Wasps have had a very bright start to this season. His return to club duty can only enhance what is already a very strong team.

They come to play a London Irish team that have surprised almost all observers, including most of their own supporters, thus far this season. Our post Christmas game has long been a major event in the London Irish calendar. This year, with Sky TV coverage, the fairies playing an exhibition game pre-match, an engagement party and a personal appearance by the William Webb Ellis trophy ensures that it will be again. Given the importance of this game to both sides and the fact that this is a local derby it is very likely that we will see our highest crowd thus far this season.

In October we took on Wasps at the Causeway stadium. They ran out 22 - 15 winners in a game we could and should have won. The match report The Nearly Men says it all. To quote Griff from this "A disappointing day, I suspect the lads will be kicking themselves. We won a bonus point in a match which could have been a pasting but you can’t help thinking “what if…” Our third loss, albeit to top-of-the-table opposition, in a match we had every chance to win. Bath are taking the wins from these games and we are not that’s why Bath are unbeaten in first place and we are back down to seventh with three wins and three frustrating could-have-beens."

Our recent performances against Rotherham and Montauban, whilst we've won the games, have been disappointing. Wasps on the other hand appear to be getting stronger as the season develops. Their awesome 41 - 0 victory over Saracens last week, with five tries picking up a bonus point in the process, being a point in case. To beat them we will need to step up a gear on our recent performances and rediscover the form that has seen us beat both Gloucester and Northampton on the road this season.

It won't be easy but we can do this, whatever the result a craicing day and game appears to be on the cards. Let's hope it turns out to be a real celebration.