RugbyRebels

Wasps: Watson; Odogwu, Spink, Gopperth, Bassett; Atkinson, Robson; Martinez, Cruse, Alo; Launchbury (capt), Stooke, Fifita, Oghre; Shields

Replacements: van Vuuren, West, Millar-Mills, Gaskell, Morris, Wolstenholme, Fekitoa, Miller

Saracens: Goode (co-capt); Segun, Lozowski, Tompkins, Lewington; Manu Vunipola, van Zyl; Mako Vunipola (co-capt), Woolstencroft, Koch; Hunter-Hill, Swinson, McFarland, Earl; Billy Vunipola

Replacements: Lewis, Mawi, Clarey, Venter, Christie, Davies, Jackson, Maitland

Launchbury!

Nice to see Launchbury’s name on the teamsheet. I’m not assuming he’s immediately going to come back as the player of a few seasons ago, if he ever does at all, but it would be great to have him as an England option again.

Immediately that Wasps pack looks miles better.

Banquo wrote:Immediately that Wasps pack looks miles better.

Currently, he's the only one who might put pressure on Hill. It's becoming a positional weakness, perhaps. It must be with Ewels in the squad.

Oakboy wrote:

Banquo wrote:Immediately that Wasps pack looks miles better.

Currently, he's the only one who might put pressure on Hill. It's becoming a positional weakness, perhaps. It must be with Ewels in the squad.

With Itoje, Lawes, Hill and Launch it looks quite good tbh, though we could do with some more Ribbans is good, and I think Coles might get there.

Woo! Launch!

Wonderful news.

Rugby gods had spotted that our injury list had dropped below 15, so have had our starting loosehead stretchered off the pitch during the warmup. West to start, Hislop to bench.

Raggs wrote:Rugby gods had spotted that our injury list had dropped below 15, so have had our starting loosehead stretchered off the pitch during the warmup. West to start, Hislop to bench.

great start nonetheless

looks an impressive win. Sarries wage bill cut bites?

Don't know about that, they still put out a fearsome side on paper

Danno wrote:Don't know about that, they still put out a fearsome side on paper

Hmm, look at the half backs, second row. Losing Malins, George, Faz, Daly Itoje is big at club level. And Mako and Billy aren’t what they were.

Banquo wrote:

Danno wrote:Don't know about that, they still put out a fearsome side on paper

Hmm, look at the half backs, second row. Losing Malins, George, Faz, Daly Itoje is big at club level. And Mako and Billy aren’t what they were.

Fair points all. Looking forward to having a watch once it's up on the website

Banquo wrote:looks an impressive win. Sarries wage bill cut bites?

Emotional couple of weeks for the club & players?

Upsets all over this weekend: Bath beat Quins, LIrish beat Exe, Sale fluked out a couple of tries to put Leicester to bed, and this one.

p/d wrote:

Banquo wrote:looks an impressive win. Sarries wage bill cut bites?

Emotional couple of weeks for the club & players?

? Over my head

Danno wrote:Upsets all over this weekend: Bath beat Quins, LIrish beat Exe, Sale fluked out a couple of tries to put Leicester to bed, and this one.

Bit harsh on Sale- they put in a massive effort in the last 30

Banquo wrote:

p/d wrote:

Banquo wrote:looks an impressive win. Sarries wage bill cut bites?

Emotional couple of weeks for the club & players?

? Over my head

Just referencing the request to respect McCall’s privacy as he takes time out

Banquo wrote:

Danno wrote:Upsets all over this weekend: Bath beat Quins, LIrish beat Exe, Sale fluked out a couple of tries to put Leicester to bed, and this one.

Bit harsh on Sale- they put in a massive effort in the last 30

Also fair. Was fun to watch too

Danno wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Danno wrote:Upsets all over this weekend: Bath beat Quins, LIrish beat Exe, Sale fluked out a couple of tries to put Leicester to bed, and this one.

Bit harsh on Sale- they put in a massive effort in the last 30

Also fair. Was fun to watch too

Yep, enjoyed it, despite some of the self inflicted wounds

As a Wasps fan I don't enjoy beating anyone more than Sarries

p/d wrote:

Banquo wrote:

p/d wrote: Emotional couple of weeks for the club & players?

? Over my head

Just referencing the request to respect McCall’s privacy as he takes time out

Hadn't seen that. Explains quite a bit- he is (obviously) very crucial to Sarries.

Alo is a revelation this season. He’s gone from a fat lardy to an athlete, and there are others who should take note.

Launch was immense in the first half (taken off at HT). Really had a point to prove, and proved it.

Wasps backs looked a lot more joined up and all of their locks did well, even if they weren't as eye catching as Launch. Seeing their pack trash Sarries scrum a couple of times was pleasing, especially the one where Sarries gobshittery once again cost them. Shields is literal team glue

Wasps were good winners. They played some nice stuff at times and looked full of energy and purpose. Having Launch back is obviously a major boost but several players stood up and delivered.
Alo is an interesting case. the S&C guys at Wasps have done a great job in getting him into decent shape and he's one of the Prem's most improved players.