After an eight day extended rest following the Vagabonds fixture, the Wasps return to action in the 2nd of 3 consecutive home fixtures. Leigh are the latest visitors to the new Mint Bridge on Sunday.
Team News :
No shortage of options available this week, so some rotational and experimental changes have been used with an eye on fixtures coming up. Zoe Dixon makes her first appearance of the season, and returning to the match day squad after missing out against Vagabonds are Natasha Kitchen, Susie Winter, Tamar Benson and Kennedy Newton. Coming into the side for their debut Wasps appearances are Rachael Smith and Allysia Hine.
Coaches view (James Mackereth)
It's a sign of what we're trying to build here that we've had so many people put their hand up to play this week. Three games in and twice we've had 20 plus available, this is massive in terms of our season going forward. It's a great opportunity again for us to shuffle the pack and look at options going forwards. Week by week we add more ideas and skills, and with conditions as they are this weekend we have to become more clever and adaptable to find ways and situations to use these skills.
Once again we've opted for a familiar looking side with a bit of a reshuffle positionally. We've got our eye on a few changes moving through the game to bring people in and move people around, but this is a strong side right through. The sign of the strength of this squad as a whole is shown by the calibre of players who miss out.
With injury and rotation in mind I've had to leave Anna Waite and Amy Butler out this weekend, both class players who are always in and around the 1st XV mix, but equally class people who have accepted the decision and stuck behind their mates with the task ahead. On the flip side of this we're lucky to be able to welcome Rachael Smith and Allysia Hine into the match day squad for the first time, and Kennedy Newton into the team for her first start, so huge congratulations to you all girls, well done from us all.
Fingers crossed for a good game, and for an improvement in the weather!!! We'll welcome Leigh warmly, but there's a real focus on the job ahead. Enjoy the day ladies, best of luck all involved.