Wasps v Leeds: Teams
London Wasps have made five changes for Sunday's clash with Leeds Carnegie with youth high on the agenda.
By Jamie Casey
Last Updated: 15/04/11 5:40pm
London Wasps have made five changes for Sunday's Aviva Premiership clash with Leeds Carnegie, with youth high on the agenda.
Amid a lengthy injury list, three consecutive away defeats in all competitions to Northampton, London Irish and Harlequins leave Wasps stuttering towards the season finish line.
In a bid to stop the rot, interim director of rugby Leon Holden has called upon the club's promising youngsters in a bid to make a strong finish.
Youngsters Jack Wallace and Elliot Daly are named at the back, on the wing and in the centre respectively, in the absence of injured David Lemi. Seb Jewell drops to the bench.
Up front, Tom Lindsay takes up the number two shirt, with regular hooker Rob Webber out for the remainder of the season following surgery on an injured arm.
John Hart will captain the side while England U20 international Sam Jones will start as openside flanker, replacing injured duo Andy Powell and Serge Betsen respectively.
Bench
Young talent dominates the Wasps bench too, where Billy Vunipola and Jonah Holmes will await the nod. Josh Lewsey also returns for Christian Wade, who has a leg strain.
"The obvious issues that we have had with injuries has given us the opportunity to introduce a number of our very exciting younger players," said Holden.
"These players have shown over the season that they are capable at this level and it will be another test for them.
"We can in no way underestimate the determination that Leeds will bring to the game and any team playing for their Premiership survival are going to be very dangerous."
Meanwhile, Leeds head coach Neil Back has named an unchanged 23-man squad for the trip to Wasps after a narrow win at Newcastle last time out.
Back remains without captain Marco Wentzel, who missed the dramatic win at Kingston Park, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Skipper
Steve Thompson will continue to skipper the side in the absence of the South African whilst Sean Hohneck will keep his place in the second row.
Leeds Carnegie had never beaten London Wasps until last season but they dispelled that hoodoo in emphatic fashion by completing a double over the London club at Headingley Carnegie last February.
Statistically, Wasps are in the worst form in the division, taking just five points from their last six outings.
However, they return to Adams Park after three away fixtures, with their last home game a 33-26 victory over Sale.
Leeds Carnegie's vital victory at Newcastle last Saturday lifted them off the bottom of the table for the first time since the opening round of the season.
Wasps: 15 Mark van Gisbergen, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Jack Wallace, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Sam Jones, 6 John Hart (c), 5 Joe Launchbury, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Tom Lindsay, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Bob Baker, 18 Zak Taulafo, 19 James Cannon, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Jonah Holmes, 22 Seb Jewell, 23 Josh Lewsey.
Leeds: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 Henry Faafili, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Peter Wackett, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Alfie To'oala, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Daniel Browne, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Steve Thompson (c), 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Gareth Denman, 18 Juan Gomez, 19 Rhys Oakley, 20 Danny Paul, 21 Dan White, 22 Christian Lewis-Pratt, 23 Semi Tadulala.
