Wasps v Gloucester: Teams

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan insists the visit of table-topping Gloucester will provide his side with their "biggest challenge of the season".

Wasps have won at games on the bounce after a slow start to the campaign, and a victory would go a long way to cementing their place in the play-offs.

However, Gloucester are the last team to beat Wasps in the league and McGeechan knows it will be a tough afternoon.

"Gloucester have been good all season, that's why they are top," said McGeechan.

"This game is without doubt our biggest challenge of the season far. Gloucester produce quality rugby on a consistent basis and we have to perform on Sunday to challenge them.

"We've had to fight our way into the top four, and I've no doubt that the race for the play offs will go right down to the wire next Saturday."

Wasps are without Phil Vickery and Pat Barnard for the clash, however McGeechan is still able to name a strong line-up.

Riki Flutey has recovered from a dead leg to return to the centres, while Joe Worsley gets the nod to partner Tom Rees and Lawrence Dallaglio in the back row.

Outstanding

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has hailed Wasps as an "outstanding side" however he believes his team have enough to topple their play-off rivals.

A victory would secure Gloucester their place in the end-of-season shootout, however Wasps have not lost in eight games.

And Ryan knows his side will have to rise to the challenge.

"We are very aware of what Sunday represents in terms of the challenge we face and what we have to do to match it," said Gloucester's head coach Dean Ryan.

"It's about a physicality level we have experienced at the top end of Europe and we will be ready for that. Wasps are an outstanding side, well schooled in the arts of knockout rugby and that is what makes the challenge very exciting.

"But we need to concentrate and focus on our game and getting the maximum out of the threat we can create. If we can do that then I am positive we can stretch any team we come up against.

"We have given ourselves an opportunity towards the play-offs but nothing has been accomplished yet which is why this game means so much to us."

Anthony Allen and Olly Morgan both return to the Gloucester backs after spells out injured, however Lesley Vainikolo misses out because of a hamstring injury.

London Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Tom French, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 3 Tim Payne, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (c).
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Michael Holford, 18 George Skivington, 19 James Haskell, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Dominic Waldouck, 22 Mark Van Gisbergen.

Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Iain Balshaw, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 1 Nick Wood, 2 Andy Titterrell, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Marco Bortolami (c), 5 Alex Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Luke Narraway.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Will James, 19 Peter Buxton, 20 Gareth Delve, 21 Gareth Cooper, 22 Willie Walker.