By BrianC
October 16 2003

This weekend sees us playing in High Wycombe at our once London and now Thames Valley neighbors, London Wasps.Wasps won the much derided Zurich Championship last season beating Gloucester in the final.

London Wasps vs. London Irish

19th October, Causeway Stadium, K.O. 3pm

Whilst most rugby supporters believe Gloucester were the true champions last season it has to be said that Wasps are indeed a class outfit. After an indifferent start to last season in the later half they were outstanding. 

At the start of this season they were second favorites after Gloucester to win the league. Their start has been somewhat faltering. An excellent first game of the season saw them beating Sale away, since then they have lost narrowly at home to Bath and away at Saints and Quins. Their only other victory was a convincing 33 - 10 victory at home to Leeds two weeks ago. Thanks to having picked up one try and two losing bonus points currently they are fifth in the ZP table on 11 points.

Last season Wasps were another team that did the double over us. In September we lost 21 - 31 at the Madstad and in February in a particularly poor performance we were well beaten 35 - 11 at what was then called Adams Park. That said, the head to head stats show that in the professional era we are running fifty fifty with them, both having won six games.

If ever there was a team that can be said to largely depend on one mans input it is Wasps. Over the last few years their performances seem to have been greatly enhanced when Laurence Dallaglio is available to play for them. Fortunately for us he is at the RWC at the moment, this together with other international call ups means we will be facing a somewhat weakened side this Sunday. That said Mark van Gisbergen at fly half will punish us severely if we make any mistakes and in Frazer Waters they have a match winner who has managed one hat trick thus far this season.

Any ZP game, particularly an away one is tough. After our wonderful victory in Northampton last weekend confidence in the LI camp will be high. I feel we'll take this but not by much. Irish by five.