 |
 |
| Eoin Reddan - skippers Wasps |
| Strong Wasps team head north for Edinburgh clash |
| 22 August 2008, 2:59 pm |
| By Jonathan McConnell |
|
| London Wasps announce their side for Saturday's pre-season friendly at Murrayfield against their 2008/09 Heineken Cup opponents Edinburgh. |
Following a win away to Dax in their opening pre-season fixture last week, Wasps will field a side bolstered by their internationals as they face Andy Robinson's 2007/08 fourth place Magners League outfit.
Returning to the fold, England and England Saxons squad members, Josh Lewsey and Dominic Waldouck will combine in the back division with Mark Van Gisbergen, new signing Lachlan Mitchell and Tom Voyce. Eoin Reddan and Riki Flutey partner at nine and ten, Reddan captaining the side for this friendly fixture.
In the front row, Wasps' rising talent Rob Webber joins Tim Payne and Pat Barnard, and Simon Shaw, James Haskell and Joe Worsley make their return to club colours adding further strength alongside Richard Birkett and John Hart who took Wasps to victory in France last week.
Looking ahead to the game Head Coach, Shaun Edwards, said, "We have the up most respect for our opponents Edinburgh and we will be taking a strong team up there on Saturday ready for a highly competitive game. As recently as last season, Leinster lost at Edinburgh in Europe and Toulouse nearly came a cropper because, especially at home, they are developing as a formidable force."
"We're looking to give game time to Tim Payne, Simon Shaw, James Haskell, Joe Worsley, Tom Palmer and Josh Lewsey amongst others now the England players are back at the club, but as well as fielding as many internationalists as possible we'll be giving valuable experience to a couple of our new recruits and young talents."
"We need this outing to blow away the cobwebs with it being a first game for most of our side and it should help us prepare as a whole squad for the challenges of next season."
London Wasps team to face Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd August, KO 2.30pm, at Murrayfield is:
15. Mark Van Gisbergen
14. Josh Lewsey
13. Lachlan Mitchell
12. Dominic Waldouck
11. Tom Voyce
10. Riki Flutey
9. Eoin Reddan (C)
1. Tim Payne
2. Rob Webber
3. Pat Barnard
4. Simon Shaw
5. Richard Birkett
6. James Haskell
7. Joe Worsley
8. John Hart
Replacements:
16. Damien Varley
17. Tom French
18. Tom Palmer
19. Hugo Ellis
20. Mark Robinson
21. Jeremy Staunton
22. Chris Bishay
23. Michael Holford
24. Rob Hoadley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
