Bayonne v London Wasps - Amlin Challenge Cup match preview

Mark Chisholm: Features for Bayonne against Wasps

Tom Lindsay: Returns to the starting lineup for Wasps at hooker

Pool Three leaders London Wasps will put their unbeaten record on the line against French challengers Bayonne at Stade Jean Dauger on Saturday.

Bonus-point victories against Mogliano and Newport Gwent Dragons have given Wasps the edge over Bayonne in a group likely to be decided by aggregate points gained from their meeting and the return fixture in Wycombe next Thursday night.

The back three has a familiar look, with captain Hugo Southwell starting at 15 alongside Christian Wade and Tom Varndell on the wings.

Chris Bell starts at outside centre and is partnered by Andrea Masi, who earns a start in the 12 shirt after returning from international duty with Italy last week.

Tom Lindsay returns to the starting lineup at hooker. Nick Robinson starts again in the accustomed fly-half role, with Charlie Davies getting a chance to impress in the nine shirt.

The front row is made up of Zak Taulafo at loosehead and Phil Swainston at tighthead, with Tom Lindsay starting at hooker.

James Cannon and Marco Wentzel make up the second row pairing, while James Haskell and Ashley Johnson wear seven and eight respectively, with Sam Jones earning his start at blindside.

Bayonne: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Marvin O'Connor, 13 Joe Rokocoko, 12 Sam Gerber, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Jacques Louis Potgieter, 9 Cedric Garcia, 8 Dwayne Haare, 7 Julien Puricelli, 6 Mark Chisholm, 5 Dewald Senekal, 4 Abdellatif Boutaty, 3 Nemiah Tialata, 2 Gregory Arganese, 1 Aretz Iguiniz.
Replacements 16 David Roumieu, 17 Pierre Philippe Lafond, 18 Renaud Boyoud, 19 Jean-Jo Marmouyet, 20 Guillaume Bernad, 21 Guillaume Rouet, 22 Manu Ahotaeiloa, 23 Lionel Mazars.

London Wasps: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Andrea Masi, 12 Chris Bell, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Nick Robinson, 9 Charlie Davies, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 James Haskell, 6 Sam Jones, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 James Cannon , 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Tom Lindsay, 1 Zak Taulafo.

Replacements: 16 T Rhys Thomas, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Will Taylor, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Jonathan Poff, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Tommy Bell, 23 Elliot Daly.

What they said...

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young

"It's always hard to go to France and get a result because the French teams are so strong at home. There is huge quality in their squad and they will back themselves at home to get a result again this year against us on their own turf. There are some world-class stars in their team and if we give them an inch they have the ability to really hurt us. But if we can go there and get a result it would be huge and it would set us up very well for the return leg next week."

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