By Dom Benson
June 1 2002

Wasps take on Gloucester at home in the playoffs on Saturday. Yes! You did read that right. Unlike the first team, the under-21s stayed on course for a Twickenham final on June 8 by winning their playoff quarter final and host Gloucester at Brunel University's Borough Road ground. Not away battling with the madding bank holiday crowds. Pining for a quality game of rugby? Pitch up at Borough Road, Isleworth. The nearest tube station is Osterley on the Picc line, cross the A4 and turn left. You will see the ground on your right after half a mile. You may have to access the ground via Borough Road. The nearest B.R. station is Isleworth, Borough Road is about ten minutes walk to the north.

London Wasps under-21s took second place behind Bristol in their league and the team is looking forward to taking on their biggest rivals in the playoff final at HQ. Wasps current crop of young players is probably the best since the days of Dallaglio, Volley, Scrivener, Gomarsall, Greenstock, Ufton and the like in 1993. All of these players went on to play senior football for Wasps.

Times have changed markedly since then. We can expect to see some of this year's vintage pulling on a Wasps jersey in the professional ranks for years to come. Some of them have done so already: Mark Lock, captain Simon Cross, Ali McKenzie, Jonny Barrett, Steve Green, Mike McCarthy, Jon Rudd, Alex Page, Matt Leek and Will Wigram have all played or made the first team bench and I've probably forgotten one or two others, besides our under-19 winger Mike Roberts.

It's time to put our Wycombe gripes behind us and join in the party by the Great West Road. Come and see the quality London Wasps' Academy produces under the auspices of Rob Smith, Geoff Strange and Greg Soffe. See London Wasps RFC for more news.