Wasps are looking to do the double over their West Country counterparts having beaten Bath 27-24 earlier this season in an exciting game at Adams Park.

Director of Rugby Dai Young has made three changes to his starting line-up, which includes seven players aged 21 or under.*

In the only change in the backs, Ryan Davis misses the chance to face his old side having been injured in last weekend’s game, but the fit-again centre Dom Waldouck comes straight back in to wear the number 12 shirt.

In the pack Young has moved young Joe Launchbury from back-row to second-row with Billy Vunipola earning the number 8 shirt and Sam Jones shifting to number six.

Richard Birkett captains the side once again.

On the bench Nic Berry returns to provide scrum-half cover and Tinus Du Plessis is also named.

Young said: “It’s obviously a massive game tomorrow and the boys are well aware of what’s at stake. We’ve got to be much more accurate than we have been and get off to a strong start. We’re up against a side full of quality so we’re in no doubt as to the challenge that we’re going to face.”

London Wasps team to play Bath, Saturday April 21, 14.15 KO
15. Jack Wallace
14. Christian Wade
13. Elliot Daly
12. Dominic Waldouck
11. Tom Varndell
10. Nick Robinson
9. Charlie Davies
1. Tim Payne
2. Tom Lindsay
3. Ben Broster
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Richard Birkett (c)
6. Sam Jones
7. Jonathan Poff
8. Billy Vunipola
Replacements
16. Vladislav Korshunov
17. Zac Taulafo
18. Simon McIntyre
19. Ross Filipo
20. Tinus DuPlessis
21. Nic Berry
22. Chris Mayor
23. Lee Robinson

*Players aged 21 or under: Christian Wade; Elliot Daly; Jack Wallace; Charlie Davies; Sam Jones; Joe Launchbury; Billy Vunipola

The last home game of the season for Bath sees Hooper partner Ben Skirving in the second row, with Dave Attwood named on the bench. Josh Ovens comes onto the blindside, joining Carl Fearns and Simon Taylor in the back row. Lee Mears returns to the front row, where he is joined by Nathan Catt and David Wilson.

Stephen Donald renews his partnership with Michael Claassens in the halfbacks. Tom Biggs and Matt Carraro start out wide, with Olly Barkley and Matt Banahan combining in the centres. Nick Abendanon completes the starting line-up at fullback.

From the bench, Duncan Bell could make his last appearance at the Rec if called on after announcing his retirement earlier this week, and Kyle Eastmond could make his second appearance following an impressive run out with Bath United on Monday night.

Bath Rugby team to face London Wasps

15. Nick Abendanon

14. Matt Carraro

13. Matt Banahan

12. Olly Barkley

11. Tom Biggs

10. Stephen Donald

9. Michael Claassens

1. Nathan Catt

2. Lee Mears

3. David Wilson

4. Stuart Hooper (c)

5. Ben Skirving

6. Josh Ovens

7. Carl Fearns

8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Pieter Dixon

17. David Flatman

18. Duncan Bell

19. Dave Attwood

20. Guy Mercer

21. Mark McMillan

22. Sam Vesty

23. Kyle Eastmond

Varndell takes his place on the wing opposite Christian Wade, who returned from his own lay-off to good effect last week, with Richard Haughton making up a pacey back three for the High Wycombe based outfit.

In other changes to the side, flanker Jonathan Poff is back at open-side while Tim Payne and Tom Lindsay come back into the front row.

On the bench there is also another injury returnee with Chris Mayor providing backs cover, while Lee Robinson and Billy Vunipola also come in as replacements.

Stalwart lock Richard Birkett captains the side in the absence of Hugo Southwell who is out with an arm injury picked up last week.

Director of Rugby Dai Young had special praise for Varndell, Wade and Mayor who have worked hard to come back from injury.

“Those guys have worked their socks off to get back when it would have been easy for them to write this season off and come back next year. That shows how much playing for Wasps means to them and they deserve praise for doing everything they could have to get back and make an impact before the end of the season after a lot of hard work.”

London Wasps team to play Harlequins

15. Richard Haughton
14. Christian Wade
13. Elliot Daly
12. Ryan Davis
11. Tom Varndell
10. Nick Robinson
9. Charlie Davies
1. Tim Payne
2. Tom Lindsay
3. Ben Broster
4. James Cannon
5. Richard Birkett ( c)
6. Joe Launchbury
7. Jonathan Poff
8. Sam Jones
Replacements
16. Vladislav Korshunov
17. Zac Taulafo
18. Simon McIntyre
19. Ross Filipo
20. Billy Vunipola
21. Lee Robinson
22. Chris Mayor
23. Jack Wallace

Sam Smith joins the starting line up, with Mike Brown and Ugo Monye completing the back three. Jordan Turner Hall and George Lowe combine once again in the centres. Danny Care returns to the starting line up alongside Rory Clegg who continues at fly-half in place of the injured Nick Evans.

Joe Marler starts in the front row with Rob Buchanan and James Johnston. Olly Kohn partners George Robson in the second row. The back row sees Maurie Fa’asavalu  link with Nick Easter and Chris Robshaw, who captains the team.

The replacements see Aston Croall, Mark Lambert and Will Collier covering in the front row. Tomas Vallejos and Tom Guest will look to make an impact in the second and back row respectively. Karl Dickson covers scrum half with Benjamin Urdapilleta and Ross Chisholm covering the remainder of the backline.

15 Mike Brown

14 Ugo Monye

13 George Lowe

12 Jordan Turner-Hall

11 Sam Smith

10 Rory Clegg

9 Danny Care

1 Joe Marler

2 Rob Buchanan

3 James Johnston

4 Olly Kohn

5 George Robson

6 Maurie Fa’asavalu

7 Chris Robshaw (C)

8 Nick Easter

16 Aston Croall

17 Mark Lambert

18 Will Collier

19 Tomas Vallejos

20 Tom Guest

21 Karl Dickson

22 Benjamin Urdapilleta

23 Ross Chisholm

Rees, 27, suffered the injury during a pre-season game last summer and despite his best efforts in rehab since then, he has been medically advised to stop playing immediately.

The news is extremely sad for everyone associated with London Wasps, with the popular and influential former club captain having had cruel luck with injuries for a number of recent seasons.

Tom Rees said: “I’m gutted that I have been forced to retire at a time when I feel I could have contributed so much more to my club. Whilst I will always think what might have been, I will also look back on my career and what I achieved with a great deal of pride. Over the last nine years I have been privileged to take part in my hobby for a living, and I am extremely grateful for that opportunity. During that time I have met a lot of great people who have played a huge part in my career and to list them here would take far too long, so I would just like to say thank you to all the supporters, coaches, staff, opponents, teammates and everyone else who have made my life in rugby such a wonderful experience. I would especially like to thank everyone at London Wasps, they have given me such tremendous support at all times through my career but particularly of late, and I am sorry that I won’t get to repay them for that. Finally, I would like to thank my friends and family for their constant support through everything I have done.”

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “This is incredibly sad news for Tom and for everyone at the club. His attitude and commitment to the Club remained hugely constant even when he was out injured and I know his presence will be missed around the squad. Reesy though is a very resilient and intelligent man and I have no doubt whatever he does with his career he will make a success of it. On behalf of everyone at Wasps I want to wish him all the best in the future. We will be here to support him in any way we can.”

London Wasps owner Steve Hayes added.“It is very sad news for all of us that Tom has been forced to retire. On and off the pitch he has been a wonderful ambassador for both London Wasps and the game of rugby itself and he will be sorely missed at the Club. Tom can be extremely proud of everything he has achieved in the game in London Wasps colours despite having his career cut short and I speak for everyone when I say I wish him all the very best in the next chapter of his life.”

An outstanding product of the London Wasps Academy, Tom Rees joined Wasps in 2003, bursting onto the scene in the 2004/5 season as a highly talented young back-row forward and his performances impressed enough to earn him a senior contract. He was part of the 2007 Heineken Cup winning team and in 2008 he ended another great season with an opening try in the Premiership final win against Leicester Tigers.

On the international scene, Rees has represented England at almost all levels including U16, U18, U19, U20s and Senior levels as well as playing for England Sevens. He won 15 full senior caps winning his first as a replacement against Scotland in the 2007 RBS 6 Nations and was subsequently named in the 2007 World Cup squad. He also played in the 2008 and 2009 Six Nations though a variety of injuries hampered his chances of adding to his tally.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We all recognise Tom’s qualities as a player and a person and it’s going to be a shame that he will never be able to display his talent on the world stage again. However he has tremendous attributes as an individual and a leader. I am sure he will go on to become very successful in his future career and all the players and management here in the England camp wish him well on that journey.”

Damian Hopley CEO of the RPA said: “It is devastating news that Tom has had to leave the game in the middle of his career. For someone who made such an immediate impact for both Wasps and England to have to walk away from the game he loves at the age of 27 is shattering. Not long ago Tom was tipped to be a future captain of England so this proves just how cruel the game can be that he was never able to fulfil his undoubted potential.

“Tom is an extremely popular player who is hugely respected by his peers and coaches for his attitude, commitment and high standards. He is also a very intelligent young man who we have been working with closely through the Player Development Programme to access further education options and I have no doubt that he has the aptitude and determination to fulfil his ambition of gaining a degree in medicine. On behalf of everyone at The RPA, I would like to wish Tom every success for the future and we look forward to working with him and helping him through these challenging times.”

Berry, 27, joined Wasps two seasons ago from Racing Metro and has become a key member of the squad with 40 appearances to date. Berry has enjoyed a healthy tussle for the number nine shirt with Charlie Davies and Joe Simpson this season and with the latter now cruelly ruled out with injury; the Australian scrum-half will play an increasingly important role in the season run-in.

Berry said: “I am delighted to have renewed my contract with Wasps. Though we’ve had a tough season so far I totally believe we have the coaching staff and players to restore the club to where it should be. Both my wife and I have made some great friends through the club and we are excited to be extending our stay here in London.”

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “I have been really impressed with Nic this season. He is a talented number nine with a great attitude and I’m delighted that he’s staying here. We’ve got a pool of very good scrum-halves in place for next season and that competition for places is extremely healthy.”

Berry joins a growing list of players who have signed contract extensions at Wasps in recent weeks with Hugo Southwell, Tim Payne, Tinus Du Plessis and James Cannon all agreeing new deals.

There are four changes from the team which played last weekend. Joe Simpson and Rob Webber are named to start following their involvement with England earlier in the week, with Nic Berry and Tom Lindsay shifting to the bench.

Elsewhere Simon McIntyre replaces Ben Broster and Sam Jones starts at number 8 in the absence of Billy Vunipola who is out with an injury. Following a hugely impressive performance for Wasps A earlier in the week, Tinus Du Plessis gets a spot on the bench to cover the back-row.

Hugo Southwell will captain the side from fullback.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “I was very impressed with London Irish last weekend despite the final result and like us they will be desperate for a win tomorrow. Despite being down in numbers with a lot of players out, we’ve had a good week on the training pitch and we’re looking forward to another game at home in front of a very vocal Adams Park crowd.”

London Wasps team to play London Irish, Saturday March 3, Adams Park, 15.00
15 Hugo Southwell (capt)
14 Tom Prydie
13 Elliot Daly
12 Dom Waldouck
11 Jack Wallace
10 Nick Robinson
9 Joe Simpson
1 Tim Payne
2 Rob Webber
3 Simon McIntyre
4 James Cannon
5 Richard Birkett
6 Joe Launchbury
7 Jonathan Poff
8 Sam Jones

Replacements:
16 Tom Lindsay
17 Zak Taulafo
18 Ben Broster
19 Ed O’Donoghue
20 Tinus Du Plessis
21 Nic Berry
22 Ryan Davis
23 Paul Emerick

Nick Kennedy will again captain the side from the second row with Canadian Jebb Sinclair coming into the back row.

London Irish head coach Toby Booth said: “Although the result didn’t go our way last Sunday, it was a fantastic contest, we put in a strong performance and we were focused. We need to show the same intent tomorrow to come away with a result.”

London Irish team to face London Wasps:

15. Delon Armitage*; 14. Topsy Ojo*; 13. Jonathan Joseph; 12. Daniel Bowden; 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 10. Adrian Jarvis; 9. Ross Samson; 1.Max Lahiff; 2. James Buckland; 3. Faan Rautenbach*; 4. Nick Kennedy* (Captain); 5. Matt Garvey; 6. Declan Danaher; 7. Richard Thorpe; 8. Jebb Sinclair*

Replacements: 16. Brian Blaney; 17. Clarke Dermody*; 18. Paulica Ion*; 19. Kieran Roche; 20. David Sisi; 21. Tom Homer; 22. Jonathan Spratt*; 23. Darren Allinson
Head Coach: Toby Booth; Attack Coach: Mike Catt; Defence Coach: Justin Bishop

*Denotes Internationals

The 29-year-old joins with a wealth of knowledge of the game at the highest level having made 190 appearances in over a decade with Cardiff Blues.

Thomas has also been capped 27 times for Wales since making his debut in 2005.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “I obviously know Rhys very well having coached him for many years and he will be a real asset to our squad next season. He is an experienced international and exactly the kind of quality player we want to bring to the Club. Rhys is also a great guy to have around a squad and he will be a great addition to the Club off the pitch as well.”

Rhys Thomas said: “I am really looking forward to linking up with Dai Young again who has been a big influence to me in my career and I’m excited by the challenge of playing in England with London Wasps. Like most professional players I always keep an eye on how the game is going in England and it’s the kind of challenge that I know I will relish.”

Thomas is one of a number of senior international players having signed on at Wasps for next season with England’s James Haskell and Tom Palmer also joining Young’s squad later this year.

The Welshman moved to Lyon in August 2010 after spending four impressive seasons with Sale Sharks. He helped his French team to promotion to the Top 14 in his first season with the Club.

A strong ball-carrying centre with excellent defensive skills, Thomas has also previously represented Cardiff Blues and captained Wales at all age levels up to Under-21.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Lee is a hard-hitting centre who will bring something different to our mid-field. He has plenty of experience in this league and will be a very good addition to our squad especially considering he can also cover fly-half and kicking duties very effectively.”

Lee Thomas said: “I am delighted to be returning to England to be part of an exciting squad and coaching team. I have enjoyed my time in France but feel it is the right time to return to England and be closer to home. I know Dai Young well from my time at the Blues, and am looking forward to working with him again.”

Thomas is the second signing in a week for London Wasps for next season with hooker Rhys Thomas also signing from the Cardiff Blues. England internationals James Haskell and Tom Palmer have also signed for Wasps next season while this week the Club announced contract extensions for Hugo Southwell and Tim Payne.