Wasps will make top four if they beat Saracens - Andy Goode
Wasps’ rise from relegation outsiders to top 4 contenders in a few short weeks epitomises just how crazy this Premiership season has been and if they beat Saracens this weekend, I’ve no doubt they’ll make it to the semi-finals.
In no other season would simply stringing back-to-back wins together in April have taken you from sitting just eight points above the bottom team to within three points of fourth place but that is what has happened to Wasps and now they have to seize the opportunity they’ve been given.
They have the toughest of tests against Saracens first up. Dai Young said he wanted Mark McCall to pick his strongest side and he’s got his wish. I’ve no idea why he wants to face the Premiership champions at their strongest though. As a Wasps ambassador, I was hoping for a second string to be sent to Coventry after their exertions in the Champions Cup last week.
That’s what happened a couple of years ago when Wasps beat them 35-15 at the start of May. Even Jim Hamilton got a start that day!
The likes of Harlequins, Bath and Northampton all have two of their last three games away from home where as Wasps have two at the Ricoh Arena. Ordinarily, that would be a major advantage but they’ve won just 4 of 14 home games in all competitions this season so it might not be the case.
Joe Launchbury will be a massive miss for this one but most of the other big names are fit again and Lima Sopoaga is starting to get the best out of them. He had a short spell out with a hand injury and I think that’s done him the power of good.
When you come back from an injury you quite often feel like you’ve got a new lease of life and he looks rejuvenated. He hasn’t had the benefit of the wisdom of Jimmy Gopperth outside him all season, which was always the masterplan, and it’s great to see him back on the bench.
Sopoaga taking the ball to the line and getting his offloading game going was a huge difference at Sandy Park but the biggest reason for the victory was an immense defensive display. That defence is going to have to be just as good if not better this weekend against a team that looks like the best in Europe at the minute.
It’s a tough ask to make the play-offs but I think they’ll do it. The win at Exeter in the last round was such a statement victory and now, even though they started Round 20 in fifth place, they’re in control of their own destiny with a game at home to Quins on the final day that could decide it.
Everyone can beat everyone else in this season’s Premiership but I think the top six at the start of this round will hold their nerve and still be in those positions when the curtain comes down on the campaign on May 18th, just not in the same order.
I’m backing Wasps to grab that final play-off berth on the final day with Quins and Northampton finishing fifth and sixth respectively and returning to the top tier of European rugby after just one season away.
Comments on RugbyPass
Chief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to comments