GP Preview: Quins Face Wasps' Fizz and Cips

London Wasps host a feisty Harlequins side, moulded in the obdurate image of their boss, Dean Richards. Wasps have great delight in ushering our harshly axed playmaker, Danny Cipriani, onto the bench as we entertain our London rivals. England's total over-reaction will be Wasps gain.

Wasps and Wales Coach, Shaun Edwards, echoes most of the 8 pages of views on our message board, "In my eyes he has done nothing wrong," Edwards, who is also the Wales assistant coach, told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He wasn't drunk, didn't offend anyone and to me that's not a crime." Hear, hear.

The England management has been stamping its authority all over the squad ever since the squad wrested a modicum (no more) of command and control over the coaching set-up in France during the Rugby World Cup. Players such as Josh Lewsey have been discarded for their so-called deficiencies (running lines, passing ability, ...), while past or "past-it" patsies have been drafted in (just for once, please stand up Mr. Balshaw!).

In the meantime, Quins travel to High Wycombe with strong hopes of finishing in the top four this season, after a decade of almost complete and utter inadequacy. It has been a long time since they reached March with only six league losses against their record. We would do well to respect them with our internationals away.

Wasps are bolstered by the welcome return of pivotal centre, Riki Flutey, and one of the Guinness Premiership locks of the season, George Skivington. Mark Van Gisbergen and David Doherty continue on the wing, Mark McMillan keeps the 9 shirt, and a grizzley pack of old lags and young squadmen will aim to keep Quins quiet.

Wasps should be fresh from a week's lay-off despite the fruitless, long coach trip to windswept Newcastle. Nevertheless, It'll be a long afternoon. Wasps by 5 with a hint of a bonus point if the rain holds off.

London Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey; 14 Mark Van Gisbergen, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 David Doherty; 10 Dave Walder, 9 Mark McMillan; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 3 Tom French, 4 George Skivington, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 John Hart, 7 Joe Worsley, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt.)

Bench: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Nick Adams, 18 Dan Leo, 19 Rob Webber, 20 Simon Amor, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Fraser Waters

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown; 14 Tom Williams, 13 Hal Luscombe, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Ugo Monye; 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Danny Care; 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Tani Fuga, 3 Mike Ross, 4 James Percival, 5 Nicolas Spanghero, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Will Skinner, (Capt.), 8 Tom Guest

Bench: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 John Brooks, 18 George Robson, 19 Chris Hala’ufia, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Chris Malone,
22 De Wet Barry