WASPS have made several changes to their squad ahead of their opening Premiership Rugby Cup match against Newcastle Falcons this afternoon.
The club are being led by backs transition coach Scott Barrow in this season’s competition – with six players set to make their first Wasps start.
And scrum-half Sam Wolstenholme will captain the side on Saturday afternoon playing alongside Tommy Matthews.
Senior academy player Ollie Dawkins – making his Wasps debut – joins Cameron Anderson and Luke Mehson in the back three.
And fellow senior academy duo Rekeiti Ma’asi White and Olly Hartley – also making their debuts – form the centre partnership.
New short-term signing Gordon Reid starts at loosehead-prop with Biyi Alo propping down on the other side of the scrum and Michael van Vuuren starts at hooker.
Behind them Tim Cardall and Sebastian de Chaves form the second row partnership.
Completing the lineup are senior academy players Mario Pichardie and James Tunney who play in the back-row alongside James Tyas – with the latter on loan from London Scottish.
Elsewhere, on the bench, Pieter Scholtz, Zac Nearchou and Dan Eckersley – also in line for his Wasps debut – provide the front row replacements.
Senior academy trio Alfie Bell, Kofi Cripps and Ollie Monye are also poised to make their first senior appearances for the club amongst the replacements.
Lastly, Russell Bennett – on loan from Championship club Ampthill – and George Simpson – on loan from Hartpury – are the other backs replacements.
Wasps starting xv
15 Cameron Anderson
14 Luke Mehson
13 Rekeiti Ma’asi White
12 Olly Hartley
11 Ollie Dawkins
10 Tommy Mathews
9 Sam Wolstenholme (C)
1 Gordon Reid
2 Michael van Vuuren
3 Biyi Alo
4 Tim Cardall
5 Sebastian de Chaves
6 James Tyas
7 Mario Pichardie
8 James Tunney
Replacements
16 Dan Eckersley
17 Zac Nearchou
18 Pieter Scholtz
19 Alfie Bell
20 Kofi Cripps
21 Ollie Monye
22 Russell Bennett
23 George Simpson
Wasps match against Newcastle kicks-off at 3pm today (Saturday, November 13) at Kingston Park.
