It’s not just Wasps' fans that are looking forward to seeing how their side attack the forthcoming Premiership Rugby season, I think that it’s fair to say that all followers of the competition are intrigued to see how Dai Young’s side perform.
Wasps’ new entrants, particularly those in the back line, have turned heads and now provide their Director of Rugby with a great number of options and firepower. When he has a fully fit and operational squad the Welshman should have plenty of positive selection headaches and his experience will need to come to the fore. The depth of talent how housed within this squad should create fantastic competitive rivalries which I expect to drive the squad’s output. For example Danny Cipriani knows that he cannot just walk into the 10 jersey because Jimmy Gopperth led the ship with such assurance and clarity last season. Joe Simpson is fit and firing but Dan Robson excelled in his absence last season and Kurtley Beale will push whomever he's pitched up against depending on where Dai Young choses to deploy him. All of this rivalry will keep squad members on their toes and adhere to Eddie Jones' philosophy which says that when players are 'uncomfortable' we see them produce their best form.
Last season when Wasps are truly on it their attacking rugby was a joy to watch, take their home Champions Cup match against Toulon or their away trip to Allianz Park and that 8 try victory. They also managed to avoid their prior season's late slump and pushed all the way until their semi-final against Exeter Chiefs. Once again they'll need to emulate this consistency of output and ensure that they fire on the road and don't experience the travel sickness that they'd previously encountered.
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It's not all about Wasps' backs though because their pack is one that will be more than capable of mixing it with the best of them. Personally I'm excited to see how Tommy Taylor develops within their dynamic game plan and club captain Joe Launchbury will always by example with his outstanding athleticism. There’s no doubt that George Smith’s absence will leave a void, both on and off the field, but with the knowledge that he imparted during his time there I expect the likes of Thomas Young and Guy Thompson to step up in the back row especially while James Haskell is injured. There's also the ever present, and brilliant, Nathan Hughes to consider. The Number 8 now has an England jersey to drive for so I’m expecting him to fire out of the blocks from Round 1 and make Eddie Jones sit up a take note.
It’s a short and sweet Wasps’ assessment ahead of the 2016-17 season because essentially they’ve recruited extremely well and have added to an already strong squad. The fact that the whole club is now settled in the Midlands, having made the move up from Acton, should add more stability. Needless to say I’m expecting big things to be showcased at the Ricoh Arena and on the road this season from Dai Young’s squad.
Opening Six Games: Exeter (H), Leicester Tigers (A), Bristol (H), Northampton (A), Harlequins (H), Saracens (A)
Key Focus: Settling together quickly, the big names have arrived to a squad that's already packed with talent and it will be ensuring that they all gel together and are singing off the same hymn sheet quickly.
Ins: Guy Armitage (London Welsh), Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs), Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks), Tom Cruse (London Irish), Nick De Luca (Biarritz Olympique), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Marcus Garratt (Cornish Pirates), Craig Hampson (Bristol Rugby), Willie Le Roux (Canon Eagles, Arrives in January), Marty Moore (Leinster Rugby), Matt Symons (London Irish), Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks), Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby)
Outs: Lorenzo Cittadini (Bayonne), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), James Downey (retired), Carlo Festuccia (Zebre), Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins), Ben Jacobs (retired), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Andrea Masi (retired), Charles Piutau (Ulster), Siale Piutau (Yamaha Jubilo), Edd Shervington (retired), George Smith (Suntory Sungoliath & Queensland Reds), Jamie Stevenson (London Scottish).
