Wasps vs. Harlequins (ECC) Sunday 22/10/17

[Scrumhead]

This is a big, big game for both sides, so I'm not sure why it's not yet been covered.

Anyway, line-ups as follows:

Wasps

1. Mullan
2. Johnson
3. Cooper-Woolley
4. Launchbury (c)
5. Rowlands
6. Haskell
7. Young
8. Hughes
9. Robson
10. Gopperth
11. Bassett
12. De Jongh
13. Daly
14. Wade
15. Le Roux

16. Harris
17. McIntyre
18. Moore
19. Gaskell
20. J. Willis
21. Thompson
22. Simpson
23. Miller

Harlequins

1. Marler
2. Gray
3. Collier
4. Matthews
5. Horwill (c)
6. Robshaw
7. Ward
8. Luamanu
9. Care
10. Smith
11. Visser
12. Roberts
13. Marchant
14. Yarde
15. Brown

16. Elia
17. Lambert
18. Swainston
19. Merrick
20. Glynn
21. Lewis
22. Swiel
23. Saili

After the defeats last week, it's basically a must-win for both sides as even at this early stage, only the winner woukd have any real chance of getting out of the group. I'm hoping it will be a good game.

I'm sure others will disagree, but I think the pressure is on Wasps. Injuries have obviously played a big part, but they're on a poor run and after the league win at the Ricoh, Quins will be going there knowing they can win.

[Stom]

Ooh. I didn't notice Saili was fit

[fivepointer]

Very difficult game to predict. On paper, i think Wasps have the edge but their form has been poor and confidence must be low. Quins alternated last week between bright attack and dimwitted defence. Frankly this could go either way, which might make it a fun one for the neutral.

[Mikey Brown]

Ooh. I didn't notice Saili was fit

Came on last week too. Was apparently pretty abrasive and direct, which is just what I want. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Kingston stays loyal to Roberts all season regardless of form though.

[Scrumhead]

Ooh. I didn't notice Saili was fit

Came on last week too. Was apparently pretty abrasive and direct, which is just what I want. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Kingston stays loyal to Roberts all season regardless of form though.

Saili looked good last week. I think he'll feature a lot now that he's back to fitness.

I genuinely do think Quins have a real shot at winning this. If we can pull of a win, even without a bonus point, we'd be up to 5 points so we'd be in reasonable shape. Neither Wasps or Ulster got a bonus point last week and I don't expect Ulster to beat La Rochelle this week. I'd fancy us to beat Ulster at home and then it really depends on how much stronger Wasps are if their injured players are back for the return fixture.

[Peej]

Wasps desperately need to win this, not so much for the Euro group but just to try and get their season back on track

[Timbo]

Marland Yarde dropped for disciplinary reasons. Not good for him.

[Mikey Brown]

It's probably about that stupid hat he keeps wearing.

[Scrumhead]

Marland Yarde dropped for disciplinary reasons. Not good for him.

And not good for Quins either. Charlie Walker is a very good reserve, but Yarde has been one of our best players so far this season.

Collier and Merrick are late withdrawals too which is a concern.

[padprop]

Have I missed something? you are allowed to hand of to the face arent you? Its in the rulebook.

[I R Geech]

If that's a yellow and a penalty, then surely it's a penalty try.?

[Scrumhead]

How was Hughes supporting his weight there? This ref is desperate for a Wasps win.

[morepork]

Some chippy fuckers in Quins (Marler). That baby faced 10 (Marcus Smith?) has a bit of something doesn't he?

[Raggs]

How was Hughes supporting his weight there? This ref is desperate for a Wasps win.

If he was, the Walker tip onto the upperback/head could have been a card, and the Brown yellow upgraded to a penalty try.

[I R Geech]

How was Hughes supporting his weight there? This ref is desperate for a Wasps win.

If he was, the Walker tip onto the upperback/head could have been a card, and the Brown yellow upgraded to a penalty try.

He also allowed Marler to play on the same pitch as the grown ups.

[Scrumhead]

OK. I take it back. We're desperate to machine gun ourselves in both feet. A crap performance in pretty much all respects.

[Tom Moore]

Robsons passing has been atrocious.

[16th man]

It seems a few of our ref's could do with some basic anatomy courses. He thinks he hit his shoulder?

[Mikey Brown]

Christ. Might go to the pub.

[Raggs]

Citing officer interested in Marler perhaps?

[I R Geech]

It seems a few of our ref's could do with some basic anatomy courses. He thinks he hit his shoulder?

Pretty sure he gave him a wee stamp afterwards too.

[I R Geech]

Le Roux has been dogshit tonight and most of the season so far - is he missing Beale to make him look good?

[Raggs]

Willis with another top quality turnover.

[fivepointer]

Dire. Wasps were a bit less dire, helped along by Quins extraordinary generosity. I'm struggling to find anything good to say about the game, or about any of the players. The whole thing was as a flat as a pancake. Goodness knows what Eddie thought about the whole thing.
Oh, and Marler really is a twat but if a guy clings on to your leg i kinda think he merits getting a whack.

[Scrumhead]

Dire. Wasps were a bit less dire, helped along by Quins extraordinary generosity. I'm struggling to find anything good to say about the game, or about any of the players. The whole thing was as a flat as a pancake. Goodness knows what Eddie thought about the whole thing.
Oh, and Marler really is a twat but if a guy clings on to your leg i kinda think he merits getting a whack.

I agree with all of this. Terrible performance, several moments of absolutely indefensible stupidity and yet more injuries.

I've been excited to see Saili coming in to the side, bit that won't be for a while now ...

Willis with another top quality turnover.

Agree with this too. Willis has looked good whenever he has played. His cameo today was notable for two excellent turnovers.