Latest
Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
A sample of the video evidence used in the discipline hearing following the citing of Stade Francais's Juan Cruz Guillemain - 17/01/2013 11:39
If London Wasps harbour serious quarter-final ambitions they must beat Benetton Treviso and gain a bonus point en route.
So far the 2005 Heineken Cup champions have won one and lost one, in a stuttering campaign that they will have to kick start this weekend.
Benetton are still searching for their first points in the competition this year following losses to Perpignan (25-10) and Castres Olympique (41-22).
London Wasps Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan, has named his side ahead of Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash.
Alex King wears the captain’s armband with internationals Josh Lewsey, Joe Worsley, Tom Palmer, Phil Vickery, Raphael Ibanez and Daniel Leo all part of the starting XV.
After several good performances over the past few weeks, McGeechan has rewarded Dominic Waldouck a place alongside Lewsey at centre. Waldouck was added to the Wasps’ Heineken squad this week as part of the new ERC laws that allow a team to replace a player within the squad during the pool stages. Waldouck replaces Ayoola Erinle who is out with a leg injury.
Waldouck, who turned 19 in September said, “I’m really pleased to be given a Heineken Cup start. All players want to play in this great European competition and now I have my chance. It’s unfortunate that Ayoola has suffered a broken leg and I wish him well, but right now I have to focus and get ready for Sunday.
“Treviso has some fantastic backline players like Marius Goosen who are dangerous on attack, so we have to be prepared. We’ve had two successive losses so it’s important we get back to winning ways, however it won’t be easy. I wasn’t around the last time Wasps played Treviso, when we lost 32-17 down there (2001/02 season), so it’s important we reverse that result.”
Waldouck will be partnered by Lewsey in the midfield while Tom Voyce, Paul Sackey and Mark Van Gisbergen form the back three. The halfbacks are Eoin Reddan and King. The pack sees a formidable front row in Tim Payne, Ibanez and Vickery while Simon Shaw and Palmer make up the second row. Jonny O’ Connor partners Leo and Worsley in the back-row. After captaining the World XV against South Africa last Sunday, Lawrence Dallaglio comes back into the squad but will start from the bench.
Tickets are still available for this game by calling the Hotline on 0870 414 1515.
- 26/09/1998 14:30
London Wasps ran in nine tries as they blitzed Benetton Treviso to pick up a much needed bonus point to put themselves back in the hunt for a quarter-final place in Pool 1.
The nine tries enabled the 2004 champions to overtake Castres Olympique at the top of the table on points difference and remain a point clear of the other French team in the Pool, Perpignan.
Man of the match Dominc Waldouck comments on an amazing Heineken Cup debut
There were two tries each for back row dynamo Tom Rees and England wings Josh Lewsey and Tom Voyce and Mark van Gisbergen chipped in with five conversions as the home side went within five points of their record winning margin at home.
French hooker Raphael Ibanez set the ball rolling with the first try after only two minutes and that was the start of a long, hard afternoon for the Italian visitors. Lewsey grabbed his two tries before leaving the game after 32 minutes and Rees and Voyce both crossed in the first-half to help Wasps cruise into a 31-0 interval lead.
Treviso coach Crain Green gives his assessment after the 55-0 win
It was more of the same after the break as Shaun Edwards rang the changes in using all seven replacements for the home side and further tries flowed from England wing Paul Sackey, Rees and Voyce again and finally Danny Cipriani.
A repeat performance next week will put Wasps in the driving seat and set them up for a big new year when they face the double French challenge of Perpignan at home and Castres away.
LIVE - TEST - Commentary