By Billy Hamilton
February 7 2003

After our defeat last weekend we will be hoping to get back to winning ways this week. We need a win to carry us through the 6 Nations break and take us into the Powergen Cup semi-final.

London Wasps vs London Irish
Sun 09 Feb at Adams Park - KO 15:00

Preview

By Billy Hamilton

Apart from the psychological affect of a win, we need to draw away from the danger zone at the bottom of the table. Only five points separate the bottom four teams. As Newcastle demonstrated last weekend, a win and a bonus point could wipe out our slight advantage and we could easily slip from 9^th to 12^th place.

Wasps have lost just one home Premiership match since November 2001 – to Sale on 24 November 2002. Adams Park is the only ground to have seen an average of over 50 points  per Premiership match this season so look out for a high scoring game..

Two London Irish players could reach 100-match milestones this Sunday. Chris Sheasby has played in 99 Premiership matches for Wasps, Harlequins  and London Irish combined, whilst Keiron Dawson has made 99 appearances for  Irish in league and playoffs.

Asked what it's like playing against London Irish, Wasps’ captain Lawrence Dallaglio said, "Very hard. London Irish are a very tough team and well-organised. They hold onto the ball well and they are a team that have been steadily improving all season. We are very wary of this fixture and realise how important it is for Wasps to win it and
maintain our challenge at the top of the table."

Speaking about what the game means for the team, Peter Scrivener said, "I think the next two games; Irish and Newcastle are going to be key. If we can win these two,
we stand a pretty good chance of a top-three place, so it's all to play for. The Irish are a strong pack and very open side and also can really move the ball well.
At present, I can't see any problem with us beating them."

This week’s referee is Paul Honiss of New Zealand who is over on international duty.

Teams

London Irish

15. Mark Mapletoft*
14. Paul Sackey
13. Nick Burrows
12. Brendan Venter*
11. Michael Horak*
10. Barry Everitt
9.  Hentie Martens
1.  Mike Worsley
2.  Richard Kirke
3.  Simon Halford
4.  Bob Casey*
5.  Nick Kennedy
6.  Paul Gustard (Captain)
7.  Declan Danaher
8.  Chris Sheasby*

Replacements:
16. Kevin Barrett
17. Geoff Appleford*
18. Glenn Delaney
19. Adrian Flavin
20. Kieron Dawson*
21. Neal Hatley
22. Rob Hardwick*

*Denotes International

There are two changes to the starting line-up of the team that played Sale Sharks on Sunday last. Both are due to squad rotation: Rob Hardwick and Kieron Dawson are replaced by Simon Halford and Declan Danaher respectively.

Unavailable for selection because of injury are: Justin Bishop (dislocated finger), Kevin Burke (knee), Darren Edwards (dislocated shoulder) and Ryan Strudwick (ankle).

London Wasps

15 Mark Van Gisbergen
14 Josh Lewsey
13 Fraser Waters
12 Stuart Abbott
11 Kenny Logan
10 Alex King
9  Martyn Wood
1  Craig Dowd
2  Trevor Leota
3  Will Green
4  Simon Shaw
5  Richard Birkett
6  Joe Worsley
7  Paul Volley
8  Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt)

Replacements
16 Rob Howley
17 Phil Greening
18 John Rudd
19 Ayoola Erinle
20 Peter Scrivener

21 Mark Lock
22 Andy Kershaw

Rob Howley will start on the bench. The Welshman who suffered a hand injury during last Sunday's Northampton Saints will not start as a precaution. Josh Lewsey returns to the starting line-up and will play at wing.

  Summary of meetings between the teams in the Premiership

 Played - 17
 London Wasps Won -  9                      52.9%
 London Irish Won - 8                      47.1%
 Drawn - 0                      0%
 Biggest Win for London Wasps -      43 - 20                10 Oct 1999
 Biggest Win for London Irish -        45 - 24                17 May 2000
 
 London Wasps top try scorer vs  London Irish          Paul Sampson           5 tries
 London Wasps top points scorer vs  London Irish     Kenny Logan            104 points
 London Irish top try scorer vs  London Wasps          Justin Bishop          4 tries
 London Irish top points scorer vs  London Wasps     Barry Everitt          57 points

  Previous Meetings
 Date                   Teams              Result Venue           
 29 Sep 2002 London Wasps vs London Irish  31 - 21 Madejski Stadium
 24 Feb 2002 London Wasps vs London Irish  17 - 31 Madejski Stadium
 14 Oct 2001 London Wasps vs London Irish  15 - 20 Loftus Road     
 27 Dec 2000 London Wasps vs London Irish  29 - 16 Loftus Road     
 16 Dec 2000 London Wasps vs London Irish  13 - 14 Madejski Stadium
 17 May 2000 London Wasps vs London Irish  24 - 45 The Stoop       
 10 Oct 1999 London Wasps vs London Irish  43 - 20 Loftus Road     
 14 Mar 1999 London Wasps vs London Irish  38 - 27 Loftus Road     
 19 Sep 1998 London Wasps vs London Irish  36 - 24 The Avenue      
 15 Mar 1998 London Wasps vs London Irish  19 - 38 Loftus Road