IF WASPS have plans to make it past the group stage of the European Champions Cup then they will have to do it the hard way after being drawn against Bath, Toulon and Leinster.
Wasps could not have been handed a more difficult pool in last week’s cup draw.
They will face defending champions Toulon, who knocked Wasps out of the competition at the quarter-final stage earlier this year, three-time European Champions Leinster and Aviva Premiership finalists Bath.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young knows his side face a tough battle to progress in the competition but he is confident his players will rise to the challenge.
“If we can get out of this group, there’s no reason why we couldn’t go further than last season,” said Young.
“I think it’s safe to say this is the toughest series of games the majority of our players will ever have competed in.
“We welcome the opportunity to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in Europe, if not the world.
“I imagine in many people’s eyes we‘re up against it, but with the journey we’re on, the only way to get better is to challenge ourselves against the best teams and you can’t get much better can you?
“It’s another great test on our journey, which will stand us in good stead, and we will certainly have a really good crack at this group.”
Young also pointed out the important role the Wasps plans will play on the club’s European adventure.
He added: “We already know these will be brilliant European occasions for our fans to enjoy as well, which is really important.
“Our trips to Dublin, Castres and Toulon last season reminded us all of how special the European adventure is, not only for our players, but also for our Wasps fans, who supported us brilliantly on the away trips and were able to make a weekend of it.
“Our supporters helped to create an incredible atmosphere on the road as well as at home and hopefully they are as excited as we are to be able host many of the game’s superstars at the Ricoh Arena next season.”
