Wasps team to face Northampton Saints

May 28, 2021
1653
Ultimate Rugby

Wasps coach Lee Blackett has named his Wasps side to travel to Franklin’s Gardens and take on Northampton Saints in Premiership Round 20 on Saturday.

There are two changes to the starting line-up that won against Worcester Warriors last time out.

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

The second-row pairing of James Gaskell and Will Rowlands and the front row trio of Tom West, Gabriel Oghre and Biyi Alo remain unchanged.

The only new addition to the backline sees Michael Le Bourgeois come in for the injured Malakai Fekitoa at inside centre. Paolo Odogwu is outside him at 13.

Charlie Atkinson starts at full back, fresh from extending his contract with the club this week. Atkinson is joined in the back three once more by Josh Bassett and Zach Kibirige.

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

There is one change amongst the replacements, Tommy Taylor is out with back spasms, so Tom Cruse returns from injury to join Simon McIntyre, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Tim Cardall, Sione Vailanu, Ben Vellacott, Jimmy Gopperth and Rob Miller in being named in reserve.

Wasps (First-team appearances)

15 Charlie Atkinson (15)

14 Zach Kibirige (46)

13 Paolo Odogwu (22)

12 Michael Le Bourgeois (56)

11 Josh Bassett (147)

10 Jacob Umaga (47)

9 Dan Robson (134)

1 Tom West (52)

2 Gabriel Oghre (43)

3 Biyi Alo (17)

4 Will Rowlands (110)