RUGBY UNION: ASHLEY Johnson’s performance in Wasps’ 34-24 victory over Sale Sharks has been described as ‘outstanding’ by the club’s director of rugby Dai Young.
Wasps were not at their best at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday, but they did enough to overcome a determined Sale side and move back up to second in the Aviva Premiership table.
Johnson scored two first half tries in what was a man-of-the-match performance and Young praised the South African’s versatility as Wasps finished the match with 14 players through injury.
“He’s a real clubman,” said Young. “He’s more than happy to play hooker or backrow, as long as he’s in the team and helping the team, he’s happy. I thought he was outstanding.
“When you have someone like Ashley who can play the way he does at both hooker and in the back row, he is a real bonus for us.
“He’s got a bit more of a free role in the back row than he does at hooker, but his stats are very similar when he is playing hooker.
“He does what you would expect back rowers to do like making carries, but he is probably more effective than most.”
Wasps were without 13 players on Sunday through unavailability due to international call-ups and injuries, and Young is hoping that list has not increased.
He added: “I’m slightly concerned where we are as a squad at the minute with some of the extra bumps. That shows the character of this squad though, to pull together in difficult times when people get injured.
“We picked up a couple of little knocks, so as precaution swapped a few players off to prevent them getting any worse and ended playing with 14 for the final few minutes.
“Fingers crossed it’s not too bad. Every team gets them and I’m sure many squads are in a similar position, you just have to deal with them as it’s part and parcel of the game.”
