FRANK Halai and Rob Miller return to action this Sunday when Wasps turn their attention back to domestic duty against Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership.
In the backline, there are returns to the starting line-up for Halai and Miller, while Joe Simpson and Jimmy Gopperth form the half-back pairing.
Gopperth is given an opportunity to start in his favoured position at 10, having already excelled at inside centre and full back this season. After an impressive start to the season, Cipriani is given a well-deserved breather on the bench.
Coming back into the starting line-up after impressing as replacements last weekend are Marty Moore, Kearnan Myall and Guy Thompson, while Thomas Young is ruled out with the chest injury picked up against Toulouse.
Ashley Johnson reverts to hooker from the backrow, with Alex Rieder starting on the blindside flank.
Wasps’ Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Newcastle are a physical team who are very confrontational in the way they play the game.
“They’ve also expanded their game and play a lot of wide, attacking rugby, with real threats within their team and a good balance of power and pace, as well as a bit of flair.
“We’re under no illusion how tough a prospect the Falcons will be on Sunday. We’ll need to match last weekend’s intensity and be at our best if we’re to get the result we want.”
There will be a Halloween theme in the Wasps Nest Fan Village in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall, with on the spot prizes for best fancy dress.
The Fan Village will host a range of family friendly activities including a giant inflatable rugby pitch, The WIZ (Wasps Interactive Zone), the Kick 4 Goal challenge, Wasps Netball Day, face painting, player signing post match, as well as carvery & food and drink kiosks.
Wasps team to face Newcastle Falcons:
15. Rob Miller
14. Christian Wade
13. Elliot Daly
12. Kyle Eastmond
11.Frank Halai
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Joe Simpson
1. Matt Mullan
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Marty Moore
4. Joe Launchbury (C)
5. Kearnan Myall
6. Alex Rieder
7. Guy Thompson
8. Nathan Hughes
16. Tom Cruse
17. Tom Bristow
18. Jake Cooper-Woolley
19. Matt Symons
20. James Gaskell
21. Dan Robson
22. Danny Cipriani
23. Alapati Leiua
