1
Wasps boss Dai Young said “every game is a big game for us” as his team look to recover from a poor start to their Gallagher Premiership campaign.
ADVERTISEMENT
Young’s side lie 10th in the league table following the weekend’s 28-22 defeat to Harlequins, with a victory over Bath on November 2 being their solitary Premiership success so far this season.
Wasps have also lost three out of four pool matches in the European Challenge Cup, and they now face a Bristol team needing victory to go top above current Premiership leaders Exeter.
“Every game is a big game for us,” Wasps rugby director Young said. “It’s all about getting as many points as possible.
“Bristol have been going well and we know what quality they’ve got, but we went there last year and got the result, so we know we can do it.
“There is a lot of disappointment after the weekend.
“We need to take some real intent into this game, and if we play as well as we can, we will come away with the result.
“Every point is hugely important. You’ve got to try and come away with at least something from every away game, but we are going there to win.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’ve got to iron out the things that didn’t go so well last weekend and just keep working at them.
“We’ve got to keep working hard to turn things around.”
Young makes a solitary change for the trip to Ashton Gate, with number eight Nizaam Carr handed a start alongside back-row colleagues Jack Willis and Thomas Young.
Lock Thibaud Flament, meanwhile, has recovered from concussion and is among Wasps’ replacements.
Former England lock Dave Attwood returns for Bristol as one of two changes from the side beaten by Saracens last weekend.
ADVERTISEMENT
Attwood partners Chris Vui in the second-row, while rugby director Pat Lam’s other switch is at centre, where Alapati Leiua gains a recall alongside Piers O’Conor in midfield.
Bristol are unbeaten at home in the Premiership this season, although Wasps have gone nine league games without defeat against Friday’s opponents.
A crowd of more than 20,000 is expected, with Bristol moving from third to first if they win.
“It’s a massive crowd on Friday and an occasion that we are really looking forward to,” Lam said.
“We know that there are Bristolians from all over the world coming home for the festive period, and we would love to gift them a performance to celebrate.
“Five points are on offer, and that has been the focus in what has been a short week.
“After last week’s disappointment, our best reaction will be what we do on the field.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
29 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
29 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
29 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to comments