Sackey faces late fitness test
Fri, 16 May 2008 13:04
England wing Paul Sackey will face a late fitness test ahead of London Wasps' Guinness Premiership semifinal against Bath at Adams Park, London, on Sunday.
Wasps Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan named Sackey in his starting XV, but confirmed there will be a fitness test prior to Sunday's game.
Sackey was forced off after 18 minutes of last Saturday's 45-28 win over Leeds at Headingley and left the ground on crutches.
The England flyer was convinced he would take his place on Sunday.
"I'm a quick healer," he said. "It's going to be all right. I'm feeling positive about it."
McGeechan also put up a positive front ahead of the semifinals.
"We are in the play offs now, and the stakes have risen accordingly," McGeechan said.
"In Bath we are playing a side that is probably the most consistent all season. They are well coached and play good rugby, which will challenge us in all areas. We will have to have every part of our game working well if we are to come out with a win."
The Wasps boss named a nine-man bench, which would be trimmed after Sackey's fitness test.
London Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (captain), 7 Tom Rees, 6 James Haskell, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements (from): Richard Birkett, Tom French, John Hart, Joe Ward, Joe Worsley, Mark McMillan, Jeremy Staunton, Mark Van Gisbergen, Dominic Waldouck.
Date: Sunday, May 18
Venue: Adams Park, London
Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Chris White
Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Paul Dix
TMO: Matt Peters, Graham Hughes
