News
Preview: Wasps v Castres
October 10 2008
Englishman Phil Christophers, formerly of Leeds, will renew acquaintances with old foes when he lines up for Castres against Wasps at adams Park on Sunday.
French international Lionel Nallet captains the saide, which is largely devoid of any other big names, and deprived of regular place-kicker Romain Teulet.
Meanwhile, Ian McGeechan has shuffled his team in the search for the right formula after a turbulent week in Wycombe, in which there have been punch-ups and all sorts of nervous noises at the club's bad start to the season.
Josh Lewsey is switched inside to outside centre, while Australian Lachlan Mitchell is given a start at full-back.
Danny Cipriani starts at fly-half with Riki Flutey installed as a kicking option at inside centre.
Up front, experience abounds in the pack, with Raphaël Ibañez returning to the number two shirt and taking the captaincy of the side.
There's an all-English international back-row trio of James Haskell, Tom rees, and Josh Lewsey, and an all-English international second row partnership of Simon Shaw and Tom Palmer.
"With so much talent and quality now present in Europe the Heineken Cup continues to place itself as one of the most exciting and thrilling tournaments in the current rugby climate," said Head Coach Ian McGeechan.
"For any side it will, in the early stages of the campaign, be crucial to utilize those home ties whilst playing smart on the road. We are aware of the challenge ahead of us as we face Castres Olympique, a team who exhibit good forward play and will look today to test us in that area once more.
"It will be important for us to make a strong start to this campaign and build upon the endeavour that has been on show in the last few games."
Form: Neither side has set its respective league alight, with both teams securing only one win apiece all season
Prediction: Wasps do at least have the firepower, and it has to start firing eventually. Wasps by 17 points.
Wasps: 15 Lachlan Mitchell, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Josh Lewsey, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees, 6 James Haskell, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Raphaël Ibañez (c), 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Pat Barnard, 18 Richard Birkett, 19 Serge Betsen, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Dan Leo, 22 Jeremy Staunton
Castres: 15 Thomas Bouquié, 14 Lionel Mazars, 13 Philip Christophers, 12 Thomas Sanchou, 11 Rafael Carballo, 10 Cameron McIntyre, 9 Sébastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Florian Faure, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Steve Malonga, 5 Lionel Nallet (c), 4 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Romain Terrain, 1 Gideon Lensing,
Replacements: 16 Akvsenti Giorgadze, 17 Yannick Forestier, 18 Colin Gaston, 19 Leiataua Tomiki, 20 Paul Bonnefond, 21 Kevin Senio, 22 Anthony Lagardere,
Date: Sunday October 12
Venue: Adams Park
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Television match official: John Burtenshaw