London Wasps v Leicester Tigers, Aviva Premiership, September 7
Old rivals Wasps and Leicester lock horns
ESPNscrum Staff
September 7, 2011
London Wasps winger Christian Wade is congratulated after his try, Saracens v London Wasps, Aviva Premiership, Twickenham, London, England, September 3, 2011
London Wasps wing Christian Wade is congratulated after his try against Saracens © PA Photos
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Results on the opening day of the season have only added more significance and intrigue to the meeting of two of the Premiership's traditional heavyweights as London Irish welcome Leicester Tigers to Adams Park on Sunday.

Wasps have gone backwards since winning their last title in 2008 but they signalled their intent to start moving in the right direction again by stunning reigning champions Saracens 20-15 at Twickenham last weekend in what was new director of rugby Dai Young's first competitive game at the helm.

Consequently, they will now be eagerly awaiting the arrival of old rivals Leicester at Adams Park as they bid to record successive victories in the top flight for the first time since December of last year.

Leicester, though, will be men on a mission having suffered a shocking 30-28 defeat at home to Exeter last weekend. History is against them, however, as they have not won at Adams Park in four years.

London Wasps - Player to Watch: Jonathan Poff, a summer signing from the Crusaders, enjoyed a fine debut for Wasps last weekend and the Kiwi flanker will be looking to lay down another marker against the Tigers.

London Wasps - Team News: Unsurprisingly, Wasps boss Dai Young has stuck with the same starting line-up which upset Sarries at Wembley last weekend. There are, however, two changes on the bench. Billy Vunipola misses out after picking up a knock in training so his place goes to Joe Burton, while former All Black Ross Filipo looks set to make his Wasps debut after being preferred to James Cannon as cover for the second-row.

Leicester Tigers - Player to Watch: Mathew Tait was forced out of last weekend's game against the Chiefs at the last minute through injury. However, he has been passed fit to start this weekend and will be determined to impress on his Tigers debut.

Leicester Tigers - Team News: As well as the inclusion of Tait on the left wing at the expense of Niall Morris, the Tigers have also been forced into a back-row reshuffle because of the loss of Thomas Waldrom to a groin strain, with Julian Salvi switching to No.8 to accommodate Ben Woods at openside flanker.

Key Battle: The two side's respective fly-halves enjoyed contrasting emotions at full-time in their season openers, with Nicky Robinson leaving Wembley feeling pretty good about himself after inspiring Wasps to a fine win on his debut while Tigers youngster George Ford was left with his head in his hands after failing with a late drop-goal attempt in his side's defeat at home to Exeter. We will learn much about Ford's resolve and character from his fascinating head-to-head with a confident and in-form Robinson.

Trivia: Victory at Adams Park would see Leicester equal the all-time Premiership record for consecutive away wins, 8, which they themselves set between 1999 and 2000.

Stats: The last five games between the two sides have been won by the home side on the day.

Quote Unquote:

"To get off to a winning start was exactly what we needed but we're going to have to step up again this weekend. There was a lot to be pleased with last week but we've certainly not been patting ourselves on the back because the thought of playing a quality side like Leicester next was a pretty sobering one."
- Wasps director of rugby Dai Young has not allowed last weekend's win at Wembley to go to his head

"I thought we played some pretty good stuff in parts against Exeter last week but we made some costly errors. We knew this period was not going to be easy and we just have to battle through it."
- Leicester boss Richard Cockerill is refusing to dwell on the fact that the World Cup has robbed him of a number of key men

Prediction: This one is almost too close to call but we're expecting Wasps, still buzzing after their victory at Wembley, to get the better of a Tigers side which looked a little toothless at times against Exeter with so many of their first-teamers away on international duty.

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