Wasps team to face Harlequins

May 07, 2021
1422
Ultimate Rugby

Lee Blackett has named his Wasps side to travel to The Twickenham Stoop and take on Harlequins in Gallagher Premiership Round 18 on Sunday.

There are three personnel changes and three positional switches from the starting line-up that won against Bath Rugby last time out.

In the pack James Gaskell returns from injury, to form the second-row partnership with Will Rowlands.

Brad Shields captains the side and shifts to blindside flanker, so that Tom Willis can start at number eight. Thomas Young completes the back row at openside flanker.

The front row of Tom West, Tommy Taylor and Kieran Brookes is unchanged.

The only new addition to the backline sees Zach Kibirige start on the right wing. That change sees Paolo Odogwu switch to outside centre, as he forms a power-packed centre partnership with Malakai Fekitoa, who starts at inside centre for the first time in his Wasps career.

Rob Miller joins Kibirige in the back three, as he starts at full back and Josh Bassett is included once more on the left wing.

Dan Robson and Jacob Umaga form an unchanged half-back partnership.

There is also a welcome return from injury for Simon McIntyre, who is named amongst the replacements. He is joined on the bench by Tim Cardall, Ben Morris and Michael Le Bourgeois.

Wasps team to face Harlequins at The Twickenham Stoop on Sunday in Gallagher Premiership Round 18 (kick-off 3:00pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Rob Miller (121)

14 Zach Kibirige (44)

13 Paolo Odogwu (20)

12 Malakai Fekitoa (34)

11 Josh Bassett (145)

10 Jacob Umaga (45)

9 Dan Robson (132)

1 Tom West (50)

2 Tommy Taylor (88)

3 Kieran Brookes (56)