London Wasps
Club Details
Causeway Stadium
Hillbottom Road
Sands
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4HJ
Stadium Capacity: 10,200 (all seated)
Website: www.wasps.co.uk
Founded: 1867
- 2006/7 Season Preview -
Last time around: Not the greatest hour for a club whose very name has become synonymous with success. Most clubs would be happy with a fourth-place finish in the league - not these guys. And you'd be wise not to mention the 2005/06 Heineken Cup season within earshot of the Causeway Stadium - they drowned in the pool. The Wycombe-based side did manage to clinch the Powergen Cup - an Anglo-Welsh tournament now renamed the EDF Energy Cup - but for a club of Wasps' pedigree, that's the equivalent of Stephen Hawking carrying off the spoils from his local pub quiz.
This time? Last season's shaky performance could be down to a little navel-gazing and this term's task is to re-establish the imposing aura that seemed to see them kick-off every game with a ten-point start. The spotlight falls squarely on Ian McGeechan, whose Premiership record makes for dismal reading when compared to his magnificent achievements on the Test stage. At the start of his tenure, McGeechan declared that he would not be making any knee-jerk changes to the philosophy that Warren Gatland instilled within the club, but it's now time to tinker and some canny off-season signings hint that the quietly-spoken Scot has been doing some thinking.
Coach: Former Lions supremo Ian McGeechan is the possessor of one rugby's finest brains, but it seemed a little rusty last season, his first in club rugby after a six-year hiatus during which he served an unsuccessful and unhappy period as Scotland's desk-bound director of rugby. But Geech's place is on the paddock with the players, and the gold stars are sure to flow now that the former headmaster has weighed up the strengths and weaknesses of his pupils.
Captain: There isn't much more to write about Lawrence Dallaglio that hasn't been written already, and certainly not much more than he himself has said at one time or another. The former England captain is one of those people who you just don't like to see on the opposite team, and who makes you feel like you can beat anybody if he is on your team. But his increasingly rabid calls-to-arms are beginning to sound more like noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. He can still talk the talk but there have doubts have been raised as to the old-timer's walking abilities. Still, you have to admire the man's hunger and his influence on the club's younger players will be crucial.
One to watch: If the is any justice in the world, Dave Walder will orchestrate the double over Newcastle, scoring a full-house of points in both games. The playmaker was sent packing from the north-east and could provide Wasps with a sparky alternative at fly-half, playing Ronan O'Gara to Alex King's David Humphreys. England prop Phil Vickery has arrived at Adams Park to bolster the front row - he could be playing again in October after his latest back operation - while former Leeds players Tom Palmer and David Doherty should make an impact. Palmer was highly revered for his work-rate at Headingley whilst paceman Doherty, 19, is a big name in the making.
Final 2006/7 league position prediction: 5th
totalbet.com prediction (29/8): 3-1 to finish first
In: Tom Palmer (Leeds Tykes), Simon Amor (Gloucester), Mark McMillan (Leeds Tykes), Phil Vickery (Gloucester), Nick Adams (Cornish Pirates), David Doherty (Leeds Tykes), Dave Walder (Newcastle Falcons).
Out: Stuart Abbott (NEC Harlequins), Ben Gotting (Worcester Warriors), Jon Dawson (Schotchekloof Walmers, South Africa), Mark Lock (Leeds Tykes), Matt Dawson (retired), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Foster (released), Rob Laird (Northampton Saints), Justin Va'a (Glasgow Warriors).
Colours: black and yellow
Tickets: £12-44
Travel connections: Wycombe lies on the M40, the main road from London to Birmingham, about 45 minutes from London. There is a small train station, not too far from the ground.
