Coming Up Nest: Wasps

This may be Saracens' test of the season so far, certainly in the Premiership, as the new Champions Cup joint favourites look to continue their momentum, with the two highest points scores in that competition going head to head in Coventry.

In a Pool in which they were widely expected to be also-rans, Wasps have established a six point advantage over Bath and Toulon, with three wins from four, and a narrow home loss to Bath. At first glance, it seems that the Coventry side are emerging as real challengers now, and what could be interpreted as inconsistency, looking at their Premiership record of three wins and three defeats, may also be seen as a mark of the resilience of the side, given that they went from the heartbreak of a last gasp home defeat to Bath to serving up one of the Somerset side's biggest home defeats in recent seasons as they enjoyed a 36-10 success. 

Though still not sitting entirely comfortably with everyone, the move to Coventry undoubtedly appears a commercial success, although gates vary considerably, they never fall below the 10,000 which would have filled High Wycombe's Adams Park. They have already played 16 matches here, including two pre-season friendlies, and have won 8, drawing one, and losing seven (including both pre-season friendlies against Samoa and Northampton Saints). Whilst Wasps have done well here, so have Saracens. The venue for the narrow Heineken Cup semi-final to Munster in 2008 arguably proved the springboard to ultimate Premiership success last season as the visitors overturned an early 17-3 deficit to score 23 unanswered points in a fine 26-17 success in early March. That day, a fine solo try by Christian Wade had opened the scoring, but the lightning quick winger remains out after an injury in the famous win over Toulon, whilst the second score came courtesy of Elliott Daly. Richard Wigglesworth's kicking game caused havoc that day and inspired the comeback, so is probably likely to feature again. 

For all the success in Europe (and they are sixth favourites to triumph in Lyon), Wasps are probably a season away from contesting for domestic honours, given that they still struggle to close out games, and have proven susceptible to the driving maul at times, most notably at home to Exeter Chiefs. That said, their attacking play has been some of the best in the top flight, allied to some stern defence on their day, and the powerful ball carrying of Nathan Hughes, as was seen at the Rec last week. In the backs, Daly, who scored after a decisive counter attack last week, and scrum half Joe Simpson, combining snappy passing with an eye for a break, are pushing firmly for an overdue call for England duty. Looking at the stats for last week's games, in their respective victories, both sides enjoyed relatively even possession with their opponents but made far more ground with it. Saracens-wise, Chris Ashton and Mike Ellery were outstanding last Saturday, making eight clean breaks between them, and being at the hub of much of the good attacking play against Oyonnax, though are unlikely to enjoy as much freedom on Sunday.

Looking at potential line ups, changes for Wasps from last week would seem likely to be minimal. That would see Rob Miller continue at full back, with a Kiwi wing duo of Frank Halai and Charles Piutau (who was at full back in earlier games), whilst Daly and Ben Jacobs should continue their centre partnership, and at half back, Jimmy Gopperth, scorer of 18 points at Bath, should remain alongside Simpson. Into the forwards, and the front row should consist of Matt Mullen, Ashley Johnson at hooker (he has mainly featured in the back row before now) and Italian international Lorenzo Cittadini. Joe Launchbury will be at lock, whilst James Gaskell may come in for Bradley Davies, with an unchnaged back row of James Haskell, George Smith and Hughes. In contrast, Saracens would seem likely to make a number of changes from last week. Alex Goode should return at full back, with Ashton and Ellery continuing on the wings, and Duncan Taylor remaining with Barritt in the centre. At half back, the Charlie Hodgson - Wigglesworth combination may feature, Into the front row, and Mako Vunipola should continue at loosehead, with Jamie George coming in at hooker and Petrus du Plessis at tighthead. George Kruis could return to the second row alongside Maro Itoje, whilst a reshaped back row could include Michael Rhodes, Jacques Burger and Billy Vunipola, in what will sure to be an intruguing element of the contest.