Walder has plenty to prove
Wasps fly-half Dave Walder is still gunning for revenge against Newcastle, more than two years after he was cut loose by his hometown club.
Wasps fly-half Dave Walder is still gunning for revenge against Newcastle, more than two years after he was cut loose by his hometown club.
A victory at Kingston Park tonight would be all the sweeter, with both Wasps and the Falcons in desperate need of Guinness Premiership points.
Walder was released in the summer of 2006, after seven seasons at the club and with a year remaining on his current contract.
Newcastle's then director of rugby, Rob Andrew, told him there was no room for him at the club – with Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood on the books.
Walder secured a contract with Wasps and has earned more silverware than he ever could have at Newcastle – but a return north still holds a certain allure.
“It would be unbelievably pleasing to turn them over,” he said.
“It is the first thing I look forward to when the fixture list is out.
“It was two years ago I left, and I have had a fantastic time at Wasps – winning the Heineken Cup and the Guinness Premiership.
“But the fuel burns a bit brighter when I come up against Newcastle.”
Wasps have won just once in the Premiership all season and are one place off the bottom in 11th, with Newcastle just a single point better off.
Last weekend, Sale snatched victory at Adams Park with a late try from Mark Cueto. But Wasps Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan insists morale is still high.
If results do not go their way this weekend, Wasps could be bottom of the table heading into December.
They are boosted by the return of Ireland international scrum-half Eoin Reddan and England lock Simon Shaw, who starts on the bench.
Hooker Rob Webber replaces an injured Raphael Ibanez – while Newcastle have made two changes from the side beaten by Worcester, with flanker Ed Williamson and scrum-half James Grindal back in the side.
At Edgeley Park, Sale tackle Leicester – knowing a bonus-point victory would take them top of the table.
“After last week's win at Wasps, it is important we keep up the pressure on the top four clubs,” Sharks Rugby Director Philippe Saint-Andre said.
Sale are reinforced by returning internationals Rory Lamont, Sebastien Chabal and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.
England's Mathew Tait also starts, partnering Luke McAlister in midfield – while Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel is on the bench.
Leicester have the likes of Geordan Murphy, Seru Rabeni, Marcos Ayerza and Jordan Crane back in domestic action. The Tigers will replace Bath as league leaders if they win.