London Wasps

James Haskell: Immense

Club Details

Adams Park
Hillbottom Road
Sands
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4HJ

Stadium Capacity: 10,200 (all seated)
Website: www.wasps.co.uk
Founded: 1867

- 2008/9 Season Preview -

Skybet title odds - 10/3

Last time around: Dogged by international call-ups over the World Cup period, Wasps were always playing catch-up in the league last season. Shaun Edwards himself even questioned their play-off hopes pre-Christmas but if anyone could do it, it had to be Wasps! Crowned champions in a procession at their second home of Twickenham, the London side made up for their early European exit!

This time around? The loss of talismanic duo Fraser Waters and Lawrence Dallaglio sees a new dawn at Adams Park with the exuberant Dom Waldouck and James Haskell more than capable of filling the pair's shoes over the coming years! And with no World Cup commitments to worry about this term, Wasps should be contending on all fronts!

Coach: Soon to be Lions supremo Ian McGeechan is the possessor of one of rugby's finest brains. His combination with Shaun Edwards worked has worked wonders over recent seasons and as they continue to churn out more English talent, the future looks bright.

One to watch: The gap left by Lawrence Dallaglio needs filling and Wasps have just the man to take over the mantle! Whether for club or country James Haskell's presence on the field has been immense and he will be expected, along with fellow back-row Tom Rees, to lead the defending champions' assault in 2008/09.

In: Serge Betsen (Biarritz), Mark Robinson (Northampton).

Out: Lawrence Dallaglio (retired), Simon Amor (retired), Fraser Waters (Treviso), James Buckland (London Irish), Mark McMillan (Glasgow), David Doherty (Sale).

PR Prediction: 4th