Vickery leads strong Wasps
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:21
As Heineken Cup action resumes this week, Wasps international contingent will return for the first of back to back clashes with Andy Robinson’s Edinburgh.
Naming his side on Thursday, Ian McGeechan has made eight changes and two positional switches to his 1XV following victory over Newcastle Falcons last weekend.
Leading the side, Phil Vickery takes the captaincy reigns for this fixture with Raphael Ibanez ruled out following a knock to the head against Sale Sharks at Adams Park on the 23rd November.
Vickery is one of six England internationals returning to the side with Paul Sackey, Riki Flutey, Danny Cipriani, Tom Rees and James Haskell all named in the starting line up.
Also returning to action for Friday’s clash is centre Dominic Waldouck, following recovery from a posterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in Wasps v Gloucester at Kingsholm on the 4th October.
Moving to fullback, Mark Van Gisbergen replaces Lachlan Mitchell, named on the bench, and Josh Lewsey moves from the centre to the wing.
Looking ahead to the clash McGeechan said, “It’s good to have our internationals playing back at the club, despite a short turn around for some of our players. It is a big challenge going to Edinburgh, they are a side who are playing well and who are well coached and it will be a big game for both sides.”
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Simon Webster, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair (captain), 8 Allister Hogg, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Matt Mustchin, 19 Scott Newlands, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 David Blair, 22 Hugo Southwell
London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic
Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Josh Lewsey, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 James Haskell, 7 Tom Rees, 6 Serge Betsen, 5 Richard Birkett, 4 George Skivington, 3 Phil Vickery (C), 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Tom French, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 John Hart, 20 Joe Simpson, 21 Dave Walder, 22 Lachlan Mitchell
Date: Friday December 5
Venue: Murrayfield:
Time: 19:30 (19:30 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Eric Gauzins (France), Jean-Michel Schutz (France)
