2nd September 2005
Issued on behalf of London Wasps
London Wasps Director of Rugby, Ian McGeechan has announced his team to face Saracens in the London Double Header at Twickenham on Saturday.
McGeechan has made one change from the fifteen that started against the Ospreys last Friday, Raphael Ibanez replacing Ben Gotting at hooker. Facing his old club, it will be the Frenchman's first start for Wasps since he signed from Saracens last month.
Gotting is part of a strong bench, that features Matt Dawson for the first time since his return from the Lions tour of New Zealand, promising flanker Tom Rees and international centre Fraser Waters, now back to full fitness after losing all of last season to an ankle injury.
In other injury news, young scrum half Warren Fury continues to recover from a back injury that will keep him out for another month, whilst hooker Phil Greening is back in training after receiving the all clear following another operation on his troublesome foot in July.
Wasps team to face Saracens is:
15 Mark Van Gisbergen
14 Paul Sackey
13 Ayoola Erinle
12 Stuart Abbott
11 Tom Voyce
10 Alex King
9 Eoin Reddan
1 Tim Payne
2 Raphael Ibanez
3 Peter Bracken
4 Martin Purdy
5 Richard Birkett
6 John Hart (c)
7 Jonny O'Connor
8 Joe Worsley
16 Ben Gotting
17 Jon Dawson
18 Mark Lock
19 Tom Rees
20 Matt Dawson
21 James Brooks
22 Fraser Waters
Reflecting on the start of his first league campaign with Wasps, Director of Rugby McGeechan said, "The London Double Header is a real positive start to the Premiership season for all four teams involved, and Twickenham is a great stage on which to kick off our league campaign.
"Saracens are my 'dark horse' team of this season, and I think they will do very well over the year. We are anticipating a very tough contest, and know they will challenge us in every department.
"There has been a lot of competition for selection from within the squad which is keeping everyone honest, and the attitude of all the players in training has been fantastic.
"John Hart's continued selection as captain reflects the ethos that we have at Wasps, of developing young players within the club but we also realise the importance of experience, with Joe Worsley, Raphael Ibanez and Alex King bringing to the team that vital factor in our play."
On captaining the team, captain Hart said "I'm very excited about leading the team out at Twickenham on Saturday. It's a great honour to lead out a Wasps team on any occasion, but on the opening day of the season, and at Twickenham, makes it even bigger for me.
"We want to get off to a good start against Saracens but they will be strong opposition, looking to build on their success of last season."
Saracens begin the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP season on Saturday against Wasps at Twickenham as part of the London Double Header and have named their side for the game.
Saracens captain Hugh Vyvyan starts the game in the second row with Ben Skirving taking up the No.8 spot. Richard Haughton and Dan Scarbrough are named on the wings with Thomas Castaignede at full back. While on the bench, Shane Byrne will be looking for his first Guinness Premiership appearance.
Saracens Head Coach Mike Ford said: "We've based this selection on our two pre-season friendlies and we feel that we are putting out the strongest 22 that is available at the moment. Both Steve Diamond and I agree that this is a 22-man game and those named on the bench are just as important and all of the squad have a massive part to play in the club going forward.
"We're very excited about the season opener and I believe we have a very good blend of youth and experience in the squad - all of who are hungry for success."
Saracens team vs Wasps
15 Thomas Castaignede
14 Richard Haughton
13 Ben Johnston
12 Kevin Sorrell
11 Dan Scarbrough
10 Glen Jackson
9 Alan Dickens
1 Kevin Yates
2 Matt Cairns
3 Cobus Visagie
4 Hugh Vyvyan (c)
5 Kris Chesney
6 Ben T Russell
7 David Seymour
8 Ben Skirving
Replacements
16 Shane Byrne
17 Nick Lloyd
18 Iain Fullarton
19 Alex Sanderson
20 Moses Rauluni
21 Ben J Russell
22 Dan Harris
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