Stars return to Wasps lineup
England and Lions stars Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw have returned to bolster London Wasps lineup for this weekend’s Guinness Premiership clash with Leeds Carnegie.
Tony Hanks has made four changes to the Wasps starting lineup that secured a bonus point win over Gloucester at Kingsholm last weekend – including naming a new centre partnership of Lachlan Mitchell and Steve Kefu.
In the front row Gabriel Bocca returns to his favoured position of loose head, replacing Tim Payne currently on international duty. The last change sees Worsley back in the Wasps lineup, released from England to pick up game time with the club.
Amongst the replacements England and Lion’s second row Simon Shaw is named for this first time this season, following recovery from a metatarsal injury. He is joined on the bench by Wasps academy signing for 2009/10, hooker Chris Whitehead, as well as Tom Varndell – rested last weekend after having played every minute of competitive rugby this season so far.
Looking ahead to the game, Hanks said: “It is great for Wasps to have Joe Worsley back from England camp this weekend and gives him the platform to earn a place in the Autumn test matches.
“Similarly we are really pleased to see Simon Shaw back in the Wasps mix ahead of this fixture. Gabriel Bocca also has the chance to make a return to his favoured position, where he played very well against Northampton, and Chris Whitehead picks up a first inclusion in the match 23.”
Leeds Carnegie meanwhile have made three changes to their side for the trip to London.
All three changes come in the forwards where Australian prop Gareth Hardy replaces Tommy McGee, Tongan hooker Vili Ma’asi comes in for Phil Nilsen and second row Erik Lund replaces Phil Murphy.
There are two further changes on the bench from last week with Rhys Oakley and Jonny Hepworth coming for Murphy and Henry Fa’afili after impressing in the A team on Monday night.
The teams:
Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Serge Betsen (captain), 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Richard Birkett, 4 George Skivington, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Gabriel Bocca.
Replacements: 16 Chris Whitehead, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Simon Shaw, 20 Dan Leo, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Eoghan Hickey, 23 Tom Varndell.
Leeds: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Richard Welding, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Alfie To’oala, 7 Henrdre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Juan Gomez, 2 Vili Ma’asi, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Tommy McGee, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Rhys Oakley, 20 Calum Clark, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Henry Paul, 23 Jonny Hepworth.
Date: Sunday, November 1
Time: 13.15 (13.15 GMT)
Venue: Adams Park
Referee: Martin Fox
Assistant referees: Bob Mullis, Andrew Watson
