Tough run-in set to test Wasps’ play-off credentials

David Skippers

With the thrilling news that the Premiership season will resume on August 14, we go through each of the teams looking to end the campaign on a high.

Six weeks later than intended, the 12 clubs in England’s top flight will be delighted to finally get back onto the field, with fans equally excited.

There are nine league rounds left and two play-off weekends to follow as we take a look at each of the teams to remind you of their position.

Today, it’s Wasps.

How they left things

Wasps lead the chasing pack for the play-offs, netting 33 points from six wins and seven losses. However, what they do well is score big points, even in defeat, as evidenced by a strong points difference.

Wasps are adjusting to the post-Dai Young era and their results, under a new voice in former attack and backs coach Lee Blackett, hit a rare vein of attacking form, winning five from seven post-Christmas and managing to take the scalps of both Bristol on the road and giving Saracens the biggest thrashing of their professional career (60-10) just before lockdown.

Continuity is a feature of their play, with agile back-row options making themselves available to keep moves going to the try-line, but their defence is somewhat porous, something both Blackett and forwards coach Richard Blayze will be working hard to improve upon.

Signings

Ryan Mills (Worcester Warriors), Alfie Barbeary (promoted from Academy), Will Simonds (promoted from Academy), Myles Edwards (Oyonnax), Levi Douglas (Bath, short-term deal)

By the measure of other teams, the Wasp turnover of players has been somewhat limited, something that alludes to the strong balance sheet and commercial solidity of a very well managed club.

The big news is the arrival along the M42 of England prospect Ryan Mills, thought by many to be incredibly unlucky not to have had more opportunities at international level, and someone who will be able to augment Wasps’ attacking profile but add huge stability in defence in midfield.

Fellow former Warrior Myles Edwards joins from Oyonnax and is one of the most athletic young locks around and also seems to be a very shrewd signing. To add extra ballast to the engine room, Levi Douglas, initially released to join Bath, has agreed to stay on at the Ricoh to the end of the season.

Departures

Billy Searle (Worcester Warriors), Charlie Matthews (Kamaishi Seawaves), Nizaam Carr (Bulls), Ashley Johnson (Birmingham Moseley)

The biggest loss to Wasps is the return to South Africa of the immensely talented and versatile back-row Nizaam Carr, a man that’s really added to the try-scoring and continuity of the Wasps attack. His running and support lines are a coach’s dream and his absence will leave a big hole for Blackett to fill.

Ashley Johnson is one of the most likeable characters in rugby and concludes his eight-year tenure with Wasps to develop his career after rugby as player/coach at Moseley. Able to play in the back-row or hooker with equal impact, the big Saffer is something of a folk-hero at the Ricoh and his talent and personality will be missed greatly.

Promising fly-half Billy Searle is also a victim of the riches of options Wasps have in midfield and he joins Worcester Warriors in the pursuit of more first team rugby.

Hopes for the run-in

Wasps’ run-in includes five games on the road but, notably, they have to play five of the other six top teams en route to the play-offs. Tough away fixtures include Saints this Sunday, in what promises to be a feast of try-scoring and attacking rugby but taking on the likes of Exeter, Sale, Bristol and Saracens in a space of a month is a mighty task, even for an in-form team like Wasps. However, on the upside, their points machine Jimmy Gopperth is back after almost a year out of rugby and his ability with the boot might just be the difference when it comes to overturning tight games.

Whilst scoring points don’t seem to be an issue, Wasps must shore up their leaky defence if they’re to be serious about challenging for honours. It’s one thing to play an expansive game but they must now produce pragmatic defensive displays if they wish to improve.

Players to watch

Jacob Umaga, the nephew of former All Black Tana and son of ex-Samoa star Mike, was one of the Wasps Academy players to be promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2019/20 season and his brilliance at 10 showed that the move was vindicated.

Umaga, who also represented England Under 18s and Under 20s, cut his teeth assisting Wasps reach a sixth consecutive Premiership 7s final in September 2019, where his all-round game picked up the most points ever scored in a single event with 61 accrued across the two days. He’ll benefit from the experienced Gopperth alongside him and we predict a stellar year for the young Wasp.

Jack Willis may well yet be England’s answer to the blindside jersey in international rugby. His breakdown work is up there with the best, as evidenced by his dominance of the turnover statistics in the Premiership. A wide base and immense flexibility in his trunk makes him a formidable stealer of opposition ball; couple this with his lineout work, tackle and carry count and you can see why he is so highly rated within the game.

Bottom line

The jury is still out regarding Wasps. Are they a side who benefitted from a new voice during the international window and perhaps benefitted from a favourable fixture list? Or are they the real deal, able to dispose of the very best and go toe-to-toe in tight games?

It’s a difficult one to call. They certainly have the firepower and talent but defensive and set-piece question marks persist. With one of the tougher run-ins in the last portion of the extended season, the ball is firmly in their court and it’s a simple task of balancing attacking ambition with gain-line pragmatism in order to press on with their improvement.

by James While

 

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