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Wasps bring back three internationals for Bristol clash
By Online Editors
Dan Robson, Thomas Young and Michele Campagnaro have all returned from international duty to feature for Wasps in their Round 13 Gallagher Premiership clash with Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).
Robson, who made his Test debut off the bench for England in Sunday’s win over France, starts at scrum half while Young, who impressed in Wales’ win over Italy, starts in the back row.
Campagnaro returns from Italy duty to feature on the wing, with Wasps top try-scorer Josh Bassett on the opposite flank, as he looks to build on his impressive ten tries so far in this campaign.
Springbok Willie Le Roux starts at full back while Juan de Jongh is joined by Gaby Lovobalavu in the centres. Billy Searle joins Robson in the half-back combination.
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The pack sees Will Stuart starting at tighthead after a wrist injury keeps Jake Cooper-Woolley sidelined, and the young prop is joined by Georgia international Zurabi Zhvania and Tom Cruse in the front row.
Will Rowlands and James Gaskell occupy the second row while Ashley Johnson skippers the side from the back row next to Young and Nizaam Carr.
Simon McIntyre returns after three months out with concussion and is named as tighthead replacement.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “There’s been lots of positive talk around the place recently and the way the boys have trained has been excellent.
“We know where we are, the same as nine other teams in the league. We know these upcoming four games will take a big bearing on where we are come the end of the season.
“It’s about accumulating how many points you can in these four games, so then in the next block you have a chance at fighting for the top four.
“Everyone is looking forward to the Bristol game. It’s going to be a tough game and we know that they are a dangerous team.”
Wasps (First-team appearances)
15 Willie Le Roux (46)
14 Michele Campagnaro (6)
13 Juan de Jongh (39)
12 Gaby Lovobalavu (25)
11 Josh Bassett (95)
10 Billy Searle (12)
9 Dan Robson (95)
1 Zurabi Zhvania (16)
2 Tom Cruse (53)
3 Will Stuart (26)
4 Will Rowlands (66)
5 James Gaskell (100)
6 Ashley Johnson (c) (177)
7 Thomas Young (102)
8 Nizaam Carr (27)
Replacements
16 Tommy Taylor (42)
17 Ben Harris (38)
18 Simon McIntyre (153)
19 Kearnan Myall (131)
20 Ben Morris (12)
21 Joe Simpson (248)
22 Lima Sopoaga (18)
23 Rob Miller (95)
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Latest Comments
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Nothing to stew son.
Go to commentsTupaea is a natural 12. What is it with you kiwis and playing players out of their positions. Is that some sort of national sport? Is that on purpose? You’ve got an utility back and a winger at 12 and 13 respectivelly. You played Savea at 8 for ages, wasting the potential of one of the world’s three best players in the last 4-5 years.
ALB is equally effective at 12 and 13, so why not have him or Tupaea at 12, and Proctor at 13? God forbid you’d have two midfielders playing at their natural positions! There must be a law in New Zealand, that prohibits that. Small sample size, but Proctor walked on water in his international debut at 13.
But the kiwi selectors seem to love Rieko’s speed, so as long as the horse is fast enough, they decided they’ll teach him to climb trees anyway.
You don’t have a better 10 than BB and Mo’unga. DMac is a more instinctive attacker (almost as good as Mo’unga … almost), but doesn’t have BB’s game-controlling skills. You have and will lose games due to his aimless kicking and spur-of-the-moment inventions none of his team mates are able to read at the international pace. Works okay at Super Rugby level, doesn’t mean it’s transferable to test matches. But hey, suit yourself.
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