Wasps v Sale: Teams
London Wasps welcome back captain Serge Betsen for their Guinness Premiership clash against Sale Sharks at Adams Park on Sunday.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 12/02/10 3:11pm
London Wasps welcome back captain Serge Betsen for their Guinness Premiership clash against Sale Sharks at Adams Park on Sunday.
Betsen will return to skipper the men in black and gold after recovering from an elbow injury.
The captain is one of several players returning to the side from injury, with Paul Sackey, Tom Varndell and Warren Fury also reinstalled in the line-up.
Joe Worseley returns after being ruled out of Wasps' 9-3 triumph over Newcastle last weekend due to sickness.
England Saxons players Danny Cipriani, Rob Webber and George Skivington are also included in the starting XV, while Dominic Waldouck has been sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained on international duty.
In the front row, Ben Broster trades places with Bob Baker, who is rotated to the bench.
Bolstered
Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks is hoping his bolstered line-up can emulate the success recorded in Newcastle last Sunday.
"Winning at Newcastle last weekend was particularly pleasing, as the 23 who played were the only 23 we had available due to injuries and international call-ups - so it is good to see our numbers go up this week," said Hanks.
"After a month away from the Guinness Premiership we kick off what will be the season's longest run of games in one competition - seven in all, before the Amlin Challenge Cup quarterfinal.
"Seven wins before Christmas, and 31 points, have put us in a fair position in the table, but the next seven games will go a long way towards determining the play-off spots.
"Performing well, and ultimately winning, in front of our home supporters is a really strong focus for us."
Meanwhile, Dafydd James will make his Sharks debut on the wing after joining the club from Cardiff Blues earlier this week.
Lee Thomas, Dwayne Peel and Neil Briggs return from injury, while Dean Schofield and Kristian Ormsby have been named in the line-up after recovering from knocks suffered at Bath last weekend and Ben Cohen will appear at full back for the first time.
"The level of training has been really high this week, driven by the players who are all looking forward to what we know will be a tough, physical encounter," said Sharks director of rugby Kingsley Jones.
"It's great to be welcoming back players who have recovered from injury to the 23, and we're looking forward to seeing Dafydd James make his debut."
Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Warren Fury, 1 Sakaria Taulafo, 2 Rob Webber, 3 Ben Broster, 4 Marty Veale, 5 George Skivington, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Serge Betsen (c), 8 Dan Ward-Smith.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Gabriel Bocca, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Hugo Ellis, 20 Will Matthews, 21 Mark Robinson, 22 Dave Walder, 23 David Lemi.
Sale: 15 Ben Cohen, 14 Dafydd James, 13 David Bishop, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Eifion Roberts, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 3 Martin Halsall, 4 Dean Schofield (c), 5 James Gaskell, 6 Carl Fearns, 7 David Seymour, 8 Sisaro Koyamaibole.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Rob O'Donnell, 18 Gavin Kerr, 19 Sean Cox, 20 Kristian Ormsby, 21Dwayne Peel, 22 Oriol Ripol, 23 Ed Styles.