Wasps v Harlequins: Teams
Centre Riki Flutey takes his place in a pacey back line as Wasps play host to fellow Londoners Harlequins at Adams Park.
Last Updated: 02/12/11 4:25pm
Centre Riki Flutey takes his place in a pacey back line as Wasps play host to fellow Londoners Harlequins at Adams Park.
Flutey, who has missed the last two games through injury, is joined in the centre by Dom Waldouck as the duo pair up for the first time this season, lining-up inside the familiar back three of Christian Wade, Tom Varndell and Hugo Southwell.
Scrum-half Joe Simpson starts this weekend alongside Nick Robinson and there's just one pack change, with Ed O'Donoghue coming into the second row in the absence of Ross Filipo.
After defeat to London Irish at the Madejski last weekend it will take a huge effort from Dai Young's side, who currently sit just three points off the top four.
"Harlequins will provide us a very tough test, they are not top of the table for no reason," he said." We know the brand of rugby that they play and if we do not meet it full force we will be in for a long afternoon.
"Looking after the ball and being very accurate in everything we do are key for us this weekend, because we won't get many chances to score so when we do we must take them."
Prolific
Harlequins are managing a number of injuries within the squad, but have named a strong line-up with Mike Brown, Seb Stegmann and Sam Smith continuing to form a prolific back three.
Matt Hopper will be partnered at centre by Tom Casson with Jordan Turner Hall expected to be out for four weeks with a cheek injury. Nick Evans continues at fly-half outside Danny Care.
Joe Gray comes back into the starting line-up, rotating with Chris Brooker who drops to the bench and Joe Marler and James Johnston completing the front row. Tomas Vallejos is partnered in the second row by Charlie Matthews replacing George Robson, who has a sore calf.
The back row sees captain Chris Robshaw move to number eight in place of Nick Easter who was injured at the weekend, with Luke Wallace starting at seven alongside Mo Fa'asavalu.
Other injuries at number eight at the club include Tom Guest - who has now returned to full training - and Chris York, who is still some way off a comeback.
The bench sees Mark Lambert continue his return from injury alongside Kyle Sinckler; who replaces Tim Fairbrother - who is still struggling with a hamstring injury - as front row replacements.
Pete Browne comes onto the bench after his first outing of the season in the Monday night "A" league game at Exeter, covering the back five of the scrum alongside Will Skinner.
Wasps: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Nick Robinson, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 John Hart (c), 7 Matt Everard, 6 Richard Birkett, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Zak Taulafo, 18 Jeremy Castex, 19 Joe Burton, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Elliot Daly.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Tom Casson, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 8 Chris Robshaw (c), 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Charlie Matthews, 4 Tomas Vallejos, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Pete Browne, 20 Will Skinner, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Ben Urdapilleta, 23 Ugo Monye.
