Wasps v Bath: Teams
Wasps have been buoyed by the return of winger Tom Varndell for the St George's Day clash with Bath at Twickenham.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 23/04/11 8:14am
Wasps have been buoyed by the return of winger Tom Varndell for the St George's Day clash with Bath at Twickenham.
It was initially thought Varndell would be sidelined for the rest of the season after damaging his ankle in February.
However Varndell, who has scored 12 tries this campaign, has been declared fit to return after an intensive rehab programme.
The return of Varndell and centre Ben Jacobs means exciting teenager Elliot Daly moves to full-back, with Billy Vunipola, Zak Taulafo and Joe Ward starting in the pack.
Balance
"We've brought in a few of more experienced players who have recovered from injury and I think we have a good balance between youth and some of the more experienced players who are used to these big occasions," said London Wasps interim director of rugby Leon Holden.
Bath will look to keep alive their slim play-off hopes alive when they head to Twickenham.
Bath are currently nine points off fourth and although they do have a game in hand on their rivals, they cannot afford any slip up.
French winger Jacques Boussuge has been handed his first Premiership start of the season, with England's Matt Banahan starting at inside centre and Nick Abendanon returning at full-back.
David Flatman, Lewis Moody and Simon Taylor also come into the side to bolster the pack.
Winger Tom Biggs believes the team can still make it to the play-offs, although losing at Twickenham would put a dent in those aspirations.
"The play-offs are still definitely in our sights, we just need to ensure we win every game we have left, starting today, and hopefully pick up a couple of bonus points as well.
"We are hugely excited about going to Twickenham - everyone wants to play there and whilst some of us have been fortunate enough to play there before, this St George's Day game is going to be something special."
Wasps:15 Elliot Daly, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Dan Ward Smith, 6 John Hart (c), 5 Joe Launchbury, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Zak Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Richard Birkett, 20 Serge Betsen, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Mark Van Gisbergen, 23 Josh Lewsey.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Jacques Boussuge, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Matt Banahan, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Sam Vesty, 9 Michael Claassens (c), 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Ben Skirving, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 David Wilson, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Duncan Bell, 19 Josh Ovens, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Paul Roberts, 23 Nick Scott.
