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Wasps still hopeful of home semi
IT'S not about Lawrence Dallaglio, but it is.
Without him, Wasps stormed past Newcastle on Wednesday evening to put themselves in prime position to make the play-offs and provide a send-off more befitting a player who has served the club for 17 years than Leeds away.
All but assured of a top-four finish after picking up five points at Kingston Park, the target for Wasps now is a home semi-final and to get it they require favours.
That they must beat Leeds tomorrow goes without saying, but they will have half an eye at Kingsholm too, where Gloucester host Bath. A home win and Wasps could be in business.
Wasps coach Shaun Edwards said: "We've given ourselves a chance of getting a home semi-final. It will be interesting to see what sort of side Gloucester put out at the weekend. I'm sure they'll go for it full tilt to try and come top. They were top last year and I'm sure they'll be keen to do it again this year."
But director of rugby Ian McGeechan is not getting too far ahead and warns that Leeds represents a difficult prospect for a team playing it's third game in a week.
He said: "We had it pretty tough against Leeds first up, and it's very important we get back up now to put as fresh a team out against them as we can.
"We've played three games in a week before, and some players will have had a week's recovery before the game, so we'll have a good look at how everyone is and review them all individually."
Danny Cipriani, nominated for Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, should start despite not being fully clear of a viral infection.
McGeechan said: "He did well to play any part at the weekend and he's still not 100 per cent now. But he's been in outstanding form and it's a pity he was laid low. When you can't train you need the matches to get the edge back."
Another run out against Leeds should get him back to top speed just in time for the sharp end of the season, when Wasps traditionally bare their teeth.
Edwards said: "I've no doubt everybody will have to play better than what they are now to win the Grand Final, it is the Grand Final at the end of the day. But you'd like to think in the bigger games the bigger players will bring their A grade performances."
Dallaglio for one, has made a career of it. It is true that no-one is bigger than the club, particularly a club like Wasps, but the man who has won everything the game has to offer comes closer than most.
By the end of the weekend we'll know if Wycombe has seen the last of him.
11:22pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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