Wasps v Leeds: Teams

Wasps have been boosted by news that Joe Worsley will make his first start of the season for the visit of Leeds.

Worsley has been sidelined since suffering a serious hamstring injury in the World Cup final against South Africa in October.

However, Worsley has finally recovered from the injury to join Tom Rees and Lawrence Dallaglio in the Wasps back row.

Former Leeds second row Tom Palmer also makes his first start for three months, while Tim Payne, Raphael Ibanez and Mark Van Gisbergen all return to the starting XV.

Phil Vickery and James Haskell are given an extra week's recovery from respective calf and ankle injuries, while Tom Voyce is ruled out.

Consistency

Director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "We have a number of players coming back into the line up this weekend following recovery from injury, so retaining our consistency within the changed line up will be very important to us.

"Leeds have remained very competitive throughout this season, so we have to get our team performance right.

"The necessity to perform and improve on our league position remains a priority for us, so this is another key game to win."

Leeds director of rugby Stuart Lancaster admits his side cannot afford to dwell on their defeat to Sale.

Leeds suffered a 34-20 home defeat to the Sharks in a match Lancaster thought his side should have got something from.

However, despite his disappointment at the loss, Lancaster knows that the trip to Heineken Cup champions Wasps means his side need to look ahead - rather than back.

He said: "One of the benefits of playing in this competition is the fact that you cannot afford to dwell too long on a defeat because another huge challenge waits just around the corner.

"This week it is in the shape of the European champions, Wasps.

Excellent

"They will be buoyant after an excellent Christmas win over Bath and have quality across the park, it is another huge challenge but one the players and the coaching staff are looking forward to."

Rhys Oakley will miss the trip after suffering concussion against Sale, so 18-year-old Calum Clark earns a recall to the back row.

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