RUGBY UNION - Wasps name strong team ahead of Bath trip - The Coventry Observer

RUGBY UNION - Wasps name strong team ahead of Bath trip

Coventry Editorial 29th Oct, 2021   0

WASPS have reverted back to the same side that started against Exeter Chiefs a fortnight ago for tomorrow’s trip to Bath – with the exception of Gabriel Oghre who starts at hooker.

 

Lee Blackett’s men were beaten 56-15 by Saracens in their last outing as a much-changed Wasps side succumbed to the league’s most potent attack.

 




However, the Wasps head coach has made 12 changes for tomorrow’s match against Bath as the Coventry-based club return to full strength.

 


Oghre returns from suspension to start at hooker and plays in the front-row with Robin Hislop and Jeff Toomaga-Allen with both Oghre and Toomaga-Allen in-line to make their 50th Wasps’ appearances.

 

Jimmy Gopperth moves back to inside centre, with Jacob Umaga returning at fly-half and Michael Le Bourgeois starting at outside centre, whilst Dan Robson is back at scrum-half.

 

The in-form Zach Kibirige starts on the right wing after scoring against Saracens with Josh Bassett on the left wing and Marcus Watson at full back.

 

Thomas Young keeps his place in the side and starts in the back-row alongside captain Brad Shields and Tom Willis.

 

Elliott Stooke and Vaea Fifita link up as the second-row pairing once again to complete the line-up.

 

Elsewhere, hooker Michael van Vuuren is in line to make his Wasps debut after joining on a short-term loan deal from Chinnor RFC.

 

Additionally, loosehead prop Zac Nearchou is also named amongst the replacements and is in-line to make his Wasps and Premiership debut.

 

Wasps starting XV

15 Marcus Watson

14 Zach Kibirige

13 Michael Le Bourgeois

12 Jimmy Gopperth

11 Josh Bassett

10 Jacob Umaga

9 Dan Robson

1 Robin Hislop

2 Gabriel Oghre

3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen

4 Vaea Fifita

5 Elliott Stooke

6 Brad Shields (C)

7 Thomas Young

8 Tom Willis

 

Replacements

16 Michael van Vuuren

17 Zac Nearchou

18 Elliot Millar-Mills

19 Tim Cardall

20 Nizaam Carr

21 Will Porter

22 Alex McHenry

23 Ali Crossdale

 

Unavailable for selection (17): Charlie Atkinson, Alfie Barbeary, Tom Cruse, Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Frost, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Joe Launchbury, Rob Miller, Ryan Mills, Ben Morris, Paolo Odogwu, Will Simonds, Sam Spink, Theo Vukasinovic, Tom West, Jack Willis.

 

Wasps clash against Bath kicks-off at 3pm on Saturday, October 30 at the Recreation Ground.

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