London Wasps v
Castres
Heineken Cup: Sun 12th Oct Adams Park
Heineken Cup, Stradey Park, Sunday December 11, KO 13.00PM, live on Sky Sports 2
Dwayne Peel makes his first start since October for Llanelli Scarlets, as they look to put a severe dent in the European hopes of London Wasps.
Peel has enjoyed a phenomenal year, forcing his way into the British Lions number nine jersey after some excellent performances in Wales' Grand Slam campaign.
Ankle surgery has kept him out of action for most of this season, but director Gareth Jenkins has put faith in his top scrum half to rise to the occasion of playing the English champions.
Peel's selection is one of five changes for the Scarlets, and it lines up an intriguing battle between he and fellow Lion Matt Dawson.
Other changes see the Welshmen strengthened by the return of internationals Lee Byrne and Matthew Watkins, whilst Gareth Bowen is preferred to Mike Hercus. Alix Popham is also drafted in.
Wasps flanker Joe Worsley makes his comeback from a knee injury at Stradey Park with his side bottom of Pool Six after suffering a shock defeat against Edinburgh and then drawing withToulouse.
Worsley is one of five changes in Wasps' pack from the team that started against Saracens in the Powergen Cup last weekend.
Hooker Raphael Ibanez, prop Jon Dawson, lock Richard Birkett and flanker Jonny O'Connor also return.
WaspsTeam: London Wasps Team: 15. Josh Lewsey; 14. Paul Sackey; 13. Ayoola Erinle; 12. Stuart Abbott; 11. Tom Voyce; 10. Alex King; 9. Matt Dawson; 1. Tim Payne; 2. Raphael Ibanez; 3. Jon Dawson; 4. Simon Shaw; 5. Richard Birkett; 6. Joe Worsley; 7. Jonny O'Connor; 8. Lawrence Dallaglio (C).
Replacements: 16. Jonny Barrett; 17. Alistair McKenzie; 18. George Skivington; 19. Tom Rees; 20. Eon Reddan; 21. Rob Hoadley; 22. Mark Van Gisbergen
Scarlets Team: 15. Lee Byrne; 14. Dafydd James; 13. Matthew J Watkins; 12. Regan King; 11. Mark Jones; 10. Gareth Bowen; 9. Dwayne Peel; 1. Dorian Williams; 2. Matthew Rees; 3. John Davies; 4. Hottie Louw; 5. Adam Jones; 6. Simon Easterby (C); 7. Gavin Thomas; 8. Alix Popham
Replacements: 16. Ricky Davies; 17. Aled Gravelle; 18; Inoke Afeaki; 19. Chris Wyatt; 20. Clive Stuart-Smith; 21. Mike Hercus; 22. Barry Davies
| (+7) Llanelli 10/11 v Wasps 10/11 - Click here for full odds with Sky Bet |
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| London Wasps | |
| Sunday 12th October | |
| Heineken Cup | |
| 15:00 | Wasps vs Castres |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| London Wasps | |
| Saturday 4th October | |
| The EDF Energy Cup | |
| Gloucester 24 - 19 Wasps | |
| Wednesday 1st October | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Wasps 23 - 27 Bath | |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Northampton 24 - 20 Wasps | |
| Sunday 14th September | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Wasps 10 - 11 Worcester | |
| Saturday 6th September | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| London Irish 26 - 14 Wasps | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Newcastle Falcons | 5 | 9 |
| 9 | Northampton | 5 | 8 |
| 10 | London Wasps | 5 | 7 |
| 11 | Worcester | 5 | 6 |
| 12 | Bristol | 5 | 2 |
The Heineken Cup is back - so why not ask Sky Sports' Stuart Barnes about the weekend's action?
Martin Corry told skysports.com he still wants more success before he hangs up his boots.
Dewi Morris gives his views on the opening weekend matches as the Heineken Cup kicks off.
Warring Wasps duo Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey will line up alongside each other for the visit of Castres in the Heineken Cup.
Danny Cipriani could quit Premiership champions Wasps at the end of the season if his contract talks fail, according to reports.
Wasps flanker James Haskell insists he holds no grudges despite fearing for his sight after being eye-gouged by Neil Best.
Centre Dominic Waldouck has dealt Wasps an injury blow ahead of their Heineken Cup campaign.
Nathan Cleverly has warmed up for his Commonwealth title showdown by offering rugby ace Danny Cipriani some boxing lessons.