ZP Preview: Christmas Craicer Pulls in Mad Crowd

Back in charge
By Peter Snow's Swingometer
December 27 2003

London Wasps could not wish to end our tumultuous year anywhere (other than at home) than at the Madejski Stadium. The matchday home of London Irish is like a second home to Wasps as we have beaten Richmond, Bristol and Bath as well as the hosts (from time to time) there as well.

Whilst the Craic might not be as concentrated as down at Oirish's Avenue nerve centre, the Craic in the Valley promises to be a near sell-out today. There is nothing watered-down about Reading as Oirish continue to build on their impressive start to the RWC season. Granted Oirish did not lose one player to the world stage but they did quietly set about reversing their poor fortune of last season.

Gary Gold has built on Doc Venter's foundations and Conor O'Shea's spirit and distilled a dogged, winning mentality into Ryan Strudwick's leadership. The tall South African is now one of Sunbury's finest, as this scribe can attest following some post-Middlesex 7s revelry.

We know what to expect from Oirish: the passionate cavalry-charge of old allied nowadays to a strong, well-organised defence and the confidence to grind out wins against top quality opposition.

Oirish's team is a marriage of the traditional and often magical je ne sais crois of Ireland together with some pugnacious South African backbone (a legacy of their former supremo, Dick Best's connections) along with with a smattering of English rigour and a sprinkling of vigourous, youthful elan.

Their results are sometimes a touch hit-and-miss but any team which underestimates this band of brothers will come unstuck -- witness Wasps close encounter with the Exiles earlier this season, a narrow 22-15 success for us, helping kick-start our campaign.

It is fitting that Oirish welcome back Chris Sheasby to their starting line-up against us. The former champion Wasp and erstwhile Quin's appetite for the game remains a motivating factor for his team as he battles to overcome the handicap of less than 20-20 vision following a broken eyesocket sustained at Sale.

The forwards and backs are well matched given the absence of Lawrence Dallaglio (knee v. Saracens) and Stuart Abbott (ankle ligaments v. NZ Baabaas). It should be a fascinating encounter as the ZP second and third placed teams battle it out in the pursuit of Bath. Who would have predicted that last May? Not this old swingometer, for one, but what does it know (41-0?!?!).

This weekend PS's swingometer plumps for a five-point, 4-1 win to Wasps as we try not to misunderestimate our hosts. Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year to all...especially the players and staff.

London Irish: 15 Michael Horak; 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Geoff Appleford, 12 Rob Hoadley, 11 Justin Bishop; 10 Mark Mapletoft, 9 Darren Edwards; 1 Neal Hatley, 2 Naka Drotské, 3 Rob Hardwick, 4 Ryan Strudwick (Capt.), 5 Bob Casey, 6 Paul Gustard, 7 Declan Danaher, 8 Chris Sheasby.

Bench: 16 Pierre Durant, 17 Adrian Flavin, 18 Kieran Roche, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Delon Armitage, 21 Kevin Brennan, 22 Matt Cannon.

Wasps: 15 Mark van Gisbergen; 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Mark Denney, 11 Tom Voyce; 10 Alex King, 9 Peter Richards; 1 Craig Dowd (Capt.), 2 Phil Greening, 3 Will Green, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Paul Volley, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 8 Joe Worsley.

Bench: 16 Trevor Leota, 17 Tim Payne, 18 Ian Clarke, 19 Martin Purdy, 20 Rob Howley, 21 Ayoola Erinle, 22 Kenny Logan.

K.O. 2.45, live on Skew TV. Flatulent Fairies v. Lard-on Wasps touch exhibition k.o. 2.15 sharp.