Wasps will look to bounce back from their defeat last weekend as they host Loughborough Lightning in the development league. With just three fixtures left in the league for this season, Wasps will want to ensure they collect as many points as possible to keep pressure on the league leaders. When the two sides met earlier this season, Wasps produced a seven-try victory to take maximum points back down the M1.
The 24-44 loss last weekend to Saracens, was just the second defeat of the season for the development side, who have been riding high with some very strong results so far. Having scored 30 points or more in 12 of their 15 fixtures so far, the side have produced some outstanding rugby, and will look to finish the season with a flourish.
Wasps have made seven changes from the side that faced Saracens last weekend. Garnet Mackinder and Makeda Lewis, who have scored 19 tries between them in the development league this season, return on the wings. Johanna Dombrowski earns a starting spot off the bench last weekend at inside centre.
Up front, Caroline Flohil joins one of last weeks try scorers, Mica Evans, at prop. In a new look second row, Esteria Hiwaizi and Alex Powell link up. The final changes sees Alice Sheffield make her first appearance for the development side this season in the back row.
Loughborough lie in sixth position in the development league, with six wins thus far. In their game last weekend, they suffered a narrow 22-17 defeat at Bristol Bears. Earlier in the season, Wasps secured a 47-27 win at Loughborough University, and will be hoping for a different result this time out.
Wasps sit just one point behind league leaders Saracens with three games remaining. They will want to ensure they keep up the pressure to capitalise on any slip up from Saracens, with the possibility of ending the season as league winners.
TEAM NEWS
- Deirdre Roberts 14. Makeda Lewis 13. Kendall Templeman 12. Jo Dombrowski 11. Garnet Mackinder 10. Flo Williams 9. Michaela Dorrian 8. Georgia Wood 7. Alice Sheffield 6. Izzy Fisher 5. Esteira Hiwaizi 4. Alex Powell 3. Mica Evans 2. Helena Ironton 1. Caroline Flohil
- Danielle Harrison 17. Andrea Stock 18. Liz Crake 19. Christiana Balogun 20. Lucy Smith 21. Suzie Flowers 22. Claire Wright
Courtesy of Wasps
