Sackey, Rees in first sting for Wasps
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:26
London Wasps and England stars, Tom Rees and Paul Sackey will make their first run out in club colours ahead of the 2008/09 season, in the Wasps' final pre-season clash against the Scarlets on Friday.
Friday's encounter at Adams Park sees a strong Wasps side, including 10 England and England Saxons squad members, make their return to High Wycombe for the first time since collecting their silverware at the Guinness Premiership final.
Facing Llanelli Scarlets, familiar opponents following last seasons Heineken Cup campaign, Ian McGeechan will give his more senior squad members a warm-up to the London double header which opens the Wasps' Guinness Premiership campaign next weekend at Twickenham.
"The players are looking forward to making their return to home turf and playing in front of a home crowd," head coach Ian McGeechan said.
"This will be the first club game for both Tom Rees and Paul Sackey since the final and it will allow them the opportunity to pick up valuable game time ahead of the start of the season.
"Llanelli have some very talented players amongst their squad and it will be a good opportunity for us to put a strong team out on the park as the pre-season draws to a close.
"As the third of three very meaningful games for us, with a win and a loss already recorded against Dax and Edinburgh, this game will again help us to iron out any creases before the 2008/09 season gets underway.
"You can't replace game time with anything else and this fixture should prove very valuable for both sides," he added.
London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Dominic Waldouck, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Riki Flutey, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 John Hart, 7 Tom Rees, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Richard Birkett, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Raphael Ibanez (captain), 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Tom French, 18 Tom
Palmer, 19 James Haskell, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Jeremy Staunton, 22 Paul Sackey.
Date: Friday, August 29
Venue: Adams Park, High Wycombe
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
Referee: Dean Richards
Touch judges: Stuart Terheege, Alan Hughes
