LONDON, 26 December 2005 — English champions Wasps will look to carry the form that saw them thrash Llanelli 48-14 in the European Cup when they take on Gloucester in the English Premiership today.
Wasps are just two points behind leaders Sale in the Premiership but with the winners being decided via the playoffs all they have to do at this stage is make sure they are up with the pace after some poor displays prior to the Llanelli win left them struggling to make it into the European quarterfinals.
“I was very pleased with our performance against Llanelli last Sunday,” said Wasps coach Ian McGeechan. “The players showed the class of rugby they are capable of playing. That is the standard that we expect from ourselves, and now we have to ensure we achieve that sort of performance on a consistent basis,” the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions coach added.“Gloucester are formidable opponents. I am sure they will be in the mix at the end of the season. McGeechan has named an unchanged starting XV, with Eoin Reddan again preferred to England’s Matt Dawson at scrumhalf.
Gloucester, who thrashed Toulon 66-5 in the European Challenge Cup, have never won in the Premiership at the Causeway Stadium but coach Dean Ryan said: “We were on a bit of a role before the autumn internationals and now we are back in the Premiership we have to rediscover that form.
“We want to challenge for the right to win at places like Wasps. They have been one of the form teams in the Premiership for a long time and they are a very tough side to beat.” Sale welcome Northampton to Edgeley Park where the visitors will be without England wing Ben Cohen, who suffered a fractured cheekbone against Narbonne. Cohen now requires surgery and is highly doubtful for the world champions Six Nations opener against European Grand Slam holders Wales at Twickenham on Feb. 4.
Also out for the Saints are Cohen’s fellow wing Sean Lamont (sprained ankle), fly-half Carlos Spencer (hand), center David Quinlan (hamstring) and England hooker Steve Thompson (thigh).
Worcester, currently fifth in their second season in the Premiership, are at home to 10th-placed Bath in tomorrow’s other match.
The remaining six teams in the Premiership are all in action tomorrow.
Newcastle travel to bottom side Leeds with former Wallaby Matt Burke at full-back after he was rested for their Challenge Cup win over L’Aquila. Falcons chief Rob Andrew has given Newcastle Christmas Day off but skipper Colin Charvis said the side would not be abusing the privilege.
