RUGBY UNION - Wasps make six changes for Munster clash - The Coventry Observer

RUGBY UNION - Wasps make six changes for Munster clash

Coventry Editorial 11th Dec, 2021   0

ALFIE Barbeary has been handed his first start of the season as Wasps make six changes ahead of their European Rugby Champions Cup match against Munster.

 

Wasps have lost each of their last five matches in all competitions and suffered an agonising 32-31 defeat to Worcester Warriors last weekend.

 




And Head Coach Lee Blackett has responded by making six personnel changes and one positional switch ahead of Sunday’s match against Irish province Munster.

 


Barbeary makes his first start of the season at blindside flanker which means captain Brad Shields shifts to openside flanker and Tom Willis completes the back row at number eight – making his 50th Wasps appearance.

 

There are two changes in the front row, as props Tom West and Biyi Alo start, with hooker Dan Frost retaining his place in the side on what will be his European Champions Cup debut.

 

Sebastian de Chaves comes into the second row alongside Elliott Stooke after Vaea Fifita was added to Wasps’ lengthy injury list following last week’s clash at Sixways.

 

Michael Le Bourgeois returns at outside centre and partners Jimmy Gopperth whilst Sam Wolstenholme comes in at scrum half, to form the half-back partnership with Jacob Umaga.

 

Marcus Watson, Josh Bassett and Zach Kibirige retain their places in the back three.

 

Elsewhere, on the bench, Francois Hougaard returns from injury with Will Porter Wasps other backs replacement.

 

Gabriel Oghre, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Tim Cardall, Nizaam Carr and Thomas Young are the forwards in reserve.

 

Wasps starting XV

15 Marcus Watson

14 Zach Kibirige

13 Michael Le Bourgeois

12 Jimmy Gopperth

11 Josh Bassett

10 Jacob Umaga

9 Sam Wolstenholme

1 Tom West

2 Dan Frost

3 Biyi Alo

4 Sebastian de Chaves

5 Elliott Stooke

6 Alfie Barbeary

7 Brad Shields (C)

8 Tom Willis

 

Replacements 

16 Gabriel Oghre

17 Robin Hislop

18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen

20 Nizaam Carr

21 Thomas Young

22 Will Porter

23 Francois Hougaard

 

Unavailable through injury (18): Charlie Atkinson, Ali Crossdale, Tom Cruse, Kieran Curran, Malakai Fekitoa, Vaea Fifita, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Joe Launchbury, Rob Miller, Ryan Mills, Ben Morris, Paolo Odogwu, Dan Robson, Will Simonds, Sam Spink, Theo Vukasinovic, Jack Willis.

 

Wasps clash with Munster takes place on Sunday, December 12 with kick-off at 3.15pm at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Support community journalism by making a contribution.

The Coventry Observer's team of journalists provide a trusted source news, sport, entertainment and events going on in your area and issues which matter to you - both via our free weekly print edition and daily updates on our website.

Every contribution, however big or small, you can make will help us continue to do that now and in the future.

Thanks for reading this and the Coventry Observer.

Are you on Facebook?

Like or follow our Facebook page - facebook.com/CovObserver to get daily news updates straight to your news feed.

Advertising

Advertise with the Coventry Observer to reach your audience

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.