Power pair return for Wasps
England pair Simon Shaw and Tim Payne have returned to bolster London Wasps’ pack as they head to Edgeley Park for their Friday Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks.
Eager to improve on last weekend’s display at Vicarage Road, Tony Hanks has made four changes to the team, which alongside the inclusion of Shaw and Payne, sees Rob Webber back in the starting line-up following a knee injury and Steve Kefu partnering Dominic Waldouck in midfield.
Looking ahead to the game, Hanks said, “When you’ve had a game like Sunday’s against Saracens you obviously come away disappointed, not only with a result like that but a performance that falls short of the standards we have set ourselves.
“The best thing though is to get back out there and play, so the five day turnaround has suited us. Sale have some quality players in the likes of Cohen, Tait, Cueto and we know that a Friday night game on their turf promises to be highly competitive.
“We are obviously pleased to welcome back Simon Shaw and Tim Payne to the Club line up after the international period. I think that shows after three difficult test matches, especially where Tim is concerned having played in all three games, the quality and commitment of our players – proven by their desire to get straight back into the mix and prepare for a tough game against Sale.”
Sale’s team meanwhile shows a number of changes from last week’s selection.
There remains a slight doubt over Lee Thomas who has been suffering with a hamstring problem, meaning that, if he fails a fitness test, his place will be taken by David Bishop.
“It’s a quick turnaround this week following the win at Leeds on Sunday,” said Head Coach Kingsley Jones.
“I am delighted to welcome back Mark Cueto and Mathew Tait and have rotated the squad in several positions. We have five big games coming up in quick succession starting with this Friday’s game and I am sure that all my squad will feature at some stage.
The Teams:
Sale: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Lee Thomas/David Bishop, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Luke Abraham, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Sean Cox, 4 Dean Schofield, 3 Jack Forster, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Eifion Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Rob O’Donnell, 18 Martin Halsall, 19 James Gaskell, 20 David Seymour, 21 Chris Leck, 22 Chris Bell, 23 Nick Macleod
Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 Tom Varndell , 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Serge Betsen (C), 6 John Hart, 5 George Skivington, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Dan Leo, 20 Will Matthews, 21 James Honeyben, 22 Eoghan Hickey, 23 Ben Jacobs.
Date: Friday, November 27
Venue: Edgeley Park
Time: 19.45 (19.45 GMT)
Referee: David Rose
