Wasps' 2013/14 Season carried on long after many other sides had jetted off on their off – season holidays however their extra weeks of training were all worthwhile as on the 24th May they secured their place in the European Champions Cup in emphatic style out in Paris. The match was the pinnacle of their season, they delivered a full eighty minute performance and it has now set the benchmark that Dai Young and his coaches expect from their side, nothing less will suffice.
Wasps are a club with a huge amount of history, a history that is filled with silverware and during their golden age they were the leaders of the pack setting the standard in the both domestic and European competitions. However over the past couple of years it is fair to say that they have had a tough run of it. A squad’s transition period is always a difficult time however with the signings that Wasps have made over the summer and the potential housed within their squad there is a feeling that now it is time for the men in Black and Gold to start to flourish again.
James Haskell has just been handed the Captaincy, he is a figure that polarises opinions, some believe his eye is off the ball with his business commitments however from speaking to him on many occasions I can confirm that he is totally focused on his rugby and achieving as much as possible for his Club and if given the opportunity his Country. James forms part of a hugely talented back row that illustrates the depth that Wasps now have. Ashley Johnson, Sam Jones, Guy Thompson and Nathan Hughes all are competing to start, they are a powerful set of individuals and the competitiveness knowing that some will miss out will drive them all on. The back row isn't the only area of the field where there is such depth, on the wings and in the centres individuals that were 'guaranteed' starters last year are now having to watch their backs and stake their claims strongly in training and in matches due to new signings or fit again players.
Wasps well known signings are astute ones; they poached two of Sale's prized possessions James Gaskell and Rob Miller, Ruaridh Jackson and Bradley Davies arrive from the Glasgow Warriors and the Cardif Blues respectively whilst Alapeti Leuia spent last season making waves in Super Rugby. Their most recent signing was as a fortunate bit of business as Salosi Tagicakibau joins after a difficult time at London Irish. All of these signings house an abundance of riches in their respective armouries and mean that Wasps' across the board are stronger than last year. Their 2014/15 squad has a much greater depth to it which will be critical when it comes to balancing the demands of the Aviva Premiership and the European Champions Cup.
Wasps’ start to their season is what you would call ‘testing’ with Saracens, Northampton Saints, Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership before heading over to Dublin to take on Leinster. It isn't a start for the fainthearted and you sense that their results over these first seven matches could make or break this young side. Belief will be vital for Young’s squad; they must be confident in their abilities and develop that killer instinct to be able to close out the tightest of matches on a weekly basis. They have the potential to surprise a few people this season, however potential must be translated to practice in order for Wasps to climb back up towards the dizzy heights that they once reached.
