WASPS TEAM TO PLAY CARDIFF BLUES

WASPS VS CARDIFF BLUES

Wasps have named their team to take on Cardiff Blues at the Ricoh Arena this Sunday, in the third round of the LV=Cup.

Ed Jackson captains the squad, which contains a strong blend of youth and experience. Will Helu, Sailosi Tagicakibau and Charlie Davies all return to the backline after ankle, hamstring and calf injuries respectively. Italian international Andrea Masi builds game time in the centre, before joining the national squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

Glyn Hughes makes his first start for Wasps, at fly half, with Alex Lozowski moving to full back.

In the pack, Thomas Young has recovered from an ankle injury to take his place in the back row, alongside Guy Thompson and Ed Jackson.

On the bench, Will Taylor is set to make his first senior squad appearance in almost a year, after a bicep injury lay-off, while Wasps Academy scrum-half James Small-Edwards and back-row Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas are poised to make their senior squad debuts.

Wasps Defence Coach, Brad Davis said: “We are all looking forward to heading to the Ricoh Arena to take on Cardiff Blues in the LV=Cup. It’s a chance to give players who have been working hard on the fringes pushing for a place, an opportunity to impress, as well as some much needed game time for what lies ahead.

“To date, we are undefeated at the Ricoh Arena. It’s up to this group of players to maintain the standard that has been set at our new home and to keep the momentum going.

“We know how tough a challenge Cardiff Blues will be. We’re expecting the Blues to be really physical and very aggressive at the breakdown. As with all Anglo-Welsh fixtures, I’m sure there will be that little extra bit of bite to the game. That’s one of many things that make these games so special.”

Wasps Team

15. Alex Lozowski

14. Will Helu

13. Andrea Masi

12. Sailosi Tagicakibau

11. Josh Bassett

10. Glyn Hughes

9. Charlie Davies

1. John Yapp

2. Tom Lindsay

3. Phil Swainston

4. Will Rowlands

5. James Cannon

6. Ed Jackson ©

7. Thomas Young

8. Guy Thompson

16. Edd Shervington

17. Alex Lundberg

18. Will Taylor

19. Buster Lawrence

20. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas

21. James Small-Edwards

22. Tom Howe

23. Piers O’Conor