By Peter Snow's Swingometer
January 16 2004

London Wasps travel to Bridgend's Brewery Field to take on Celtic Warriors in what has become the defining match of pool 6. With three teams level atop the pool on ten points the winners of this game will be confident of going on to qualify whilst the losers will almost certainly face elimination. London Wasps' 9-14 reverse at home last weekend was a timely reminder of how the form book can sometimes be thrown away. However, the real point about Celtic Warriors' terrific 80-minute defensive display was that they are a quality team which does not need a merger with the ailing Cardiff Blues to stand as a premier club in its own right. Market forces may well see the Blues having to merge with another struggling region, but it shall not be with the Cynon, Taff, Rhondda boys.

What will Wasps reaction be to being brought bumpily back down to earth? The imediate reshuffle sees Mark Van Gisbergen back from New Zealand to resume his mazy running from fullback.

Josh Lewsey returns to the wing where he can get into the line a bit more quickly. John Rudd comes in for Kenny Logan who disappears from the squad, perhaps to think about defensive manoeuvres. And Stuart Abbott returns form a Barbarians-inflicted ankle injury to add some pep-steps to midfield.

In the pack Will Green adds his nous to our tight game and Jonny O'Connor brings his pace and guile to the fiery backrow battle. Celtic Warriors won't be sitting back defending their narrow advantage this week. The match will hinge on which team gets on the front foot and converts territory into points.

The news from Ananova is that the Warriors scrum half is yet to be decided and:

"Prop Chris Horsman returns from injury to reinforce the replacements' bench, where either Robert Sidoli or Nathan Budgett will also feature following a final training run. -- A near capacity crowd - 10,000 - is expected in Bridgend for the match. -- Board member Derrick King said: "We have been inundated with requests for tickets, we can't sell them quick enough. It's the most interest we have had for many years."

The old swingometer is stuck on a slight depression. Will the hangover clear? The outlook remains hazy...is it predicting a three-point win to the visitors?

Possible Celtic Warriors team: 15 TBC; 14 Gareth Wyatt, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Gareth Thomas (Capt.), 11 Dafydd James; 10 Neil Jenkins/Ceri Sweeney, 9 Gareth Cooper/Sililo Martens; 1 Christian Loader, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Gethin Jenkins, 4 Brent Cockbain, 5 Robert Sidoli/Deiniol Jones, 6 Maama Molitika, 7 Richard Parks, 8 Cory Harris.

Replacements: TBC.

London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen; 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Stuart Abbott, 11 John Rudd; 10 Alex King, 9 Rob Howley; 1 Craig Dowd, 2 Trevor Leota, 3 Will Green, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Martin Purdy, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Jonny O’Connor, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt.)

Bench: 16 Phil Greening, 17 Tim Payne, 18 Paul Volley, 19 George Skivington, 20 Peter Richards, 21 Ayoola Erinle, 22 Mark Denney

Related links: London Wasps Celtic Warriors | Vote for Fraser