Wasps v Sale preview

By tubbyshark
September 8 2004

Fresh from overcoming the Tigers in their first game of the new season, Sale now travel dahn sahf to take the mighty Wasps on their home turf. tubbyshark looks forward to it...

After the initial euphoria of our opening win of the season against Leicester, thoughts are fast turning to Saturdays televised match against current Zurich Premiership champions, the London Wasps.

Following Wasps shock opening defeat in-front of 51,000 to London Sale (13-11), clinched via a last minute kick from Little, the London club will no doubt be looking for revenge against the side who provided a number of the players spoiling their season opener.

Sale will in turn be hoping their new style of running rugby with solid set piece and thundering back row running continues.. with the additional surety of Hercus's bad-game having been got out of the way for the season.. picking up at least half of the 'penalties' on offer from Msr Dalaglio and co should be assured.. 15 missed points would have sealed the win last week far earlier.

The London side will no doubt take solace from the fact they have only won once on the opening day of the season (2001 –v- Saracens) in the last 7 years. Sale will be hoping for the Londoners form of that 2001 season to be repeated – Wasps 7th place then matching our own finish of last year.

So what of the opposition...
Wasps – minus a number of stars due to the EPS England ruling, only fielded the side we can expect to face after half time.

Their only major signing pre season was veteran scrum-half Matt Dawson, who will be resuming his fierce competition with Rob Howley for the no.9 shirt as for the lions.

More important for Wasps are the list of outgoings – regular first team players Volley, Logan, Denney, Rudd and Roiser all heading for pastures new. This accompanied by Wasps stars extensive injury list (Dowd – achilles, Shaw – neck, Howley – hand, Abbott – shoulder and Waters – ankle) mean Sale are not going to have another chance at a start like this against teams of Leicester and Wasps calibre.

Wasps will be able to play Worsley, King, Lewsey and probably Shaw (if recovered) from kick-off, expected line-up should be something like..

1. Will Green
2. Trevor Leota
3. Tim Payne
4. Richard Birkett
5. Simon Shaw
6. Joe Worsley
7. Johnny O’Conner
8. Lawrence Dalaglio
9. Matt Dawson
10. Alex King
11. Tom Voyce
12. Ayoola Erinle
13. Peter Richards
14. Josh Lewsey
15. Mark Van-Gisbergen

So what of Sale’s chances...

Injury concerns continue over Bond and Lobbe, with the only other absentee Payne – awaiting his work permit for the season.

Sunday’s front-row is likely to continue with Woodman’s superb performance in the tight augmented by Stewart and the more physical ball carrying presence of Sheridan following his inspired switch across the front row. The lack of veteran Craig Dowd making the task that much easier. French International Sebastien Bruno's great premiership debut was enough to warrant a second start ahead of England hopeful Andy Titterrell and their contrasting styles are a boon for the coming season.

In the second row, the physical presence of Schofield is complemented by England U21 lock Chris Day’s athleticism at restarts and in the line-out. This free’s up Scotland big hitter Jason White to return to his preferred no6 where his battle with Worsley on Saturday must surely be one for the lions shirt in the summer. Magnus Lund’s pre-season performances continue to shine and the England 7s and U21 star’s pace around the field formed a perfect foil to MOM Seb Chabal’s huge ball carrying physical presence. His battle with Dalaglio should be a joy to watch. Strangely this leaves the talented Chris Jones on the bench to add his pace if / when required.

Half-backs Redpath, Martens, Hercus and Hodgson continue to offer PSA a privilege few coaches enjoy in selection headaches – with Redpath and Hodgson likely to get the nod following Mike’s off day with the kicking tee.

In the centre, Sales only injury woes are offset by the absence of Abbott and Waters giving Baxendell’s guile and Todd’s more robust approach a good fighting chance against what could otherwise have been England’s centre partnership.

Out wide, Sale’s super talented back three of Cueto, Robinson and Hanley should continue against England’s Tom Voyce and Josh Lewsey and full back Mark Van-Gisbergen. One could almost see a point to prove with England’s out of favour Hanley and A team star Cueto seeing a chance under new management to stake a claim to a cap. A point to note is Hanley’s upcoming hundredth game for the side at the still young age of 25. The premierships try scorer is sure to want to celebrate in style.

Prediction: Wasps have taken four of the last five, Sales last win all the way back in 2001 (21-40 at Heywood Rd). Interestingly, little in the way of points between the sides in that time though, favouring Wasps (104-84). Wasps will be looking for revenge but Sale’s new beefier pack and combative back-row should ensure at least ball parity. Out-wide the battle of both clubs choice of ‘support’ centre’s should prove fascinating and the team that triumphs will be the one who can best supply all 6 talented wingers and full-backs.
Sale’s lack of travelling support may deprive the stands of the dirge of Sayull... however Sale to win by 8-10pts is my prediction.