WASPS director of rugby Dai Young says blending a much-changed squad together will be one of the biggest challenges of the season.

Wasps have recruited nearly a full team during the close season, with even more leaving and they will have just two warm-up matches to get the formula right.

Young said: “I don't want to single out any of our new signings as ones to watch, but it's been a challenge for us with all the changes in the squad.

“We've had 13 players leaving and 12 players coming in, so it's important that we gel very quickly.

“That’s the major challenge for us to start off with, gelling everybody.”

Welsh forwards John Yapp and Bradley Davies are among the newcomers, alongside Rob Miller and James Gaskell from Sale, Alapati Leiua, Ruaridh Jackson and Lorenzo Cittadini.

Young said: “We believe we have a far better squad this season than where we were last season.

“I think the end of season pretty much masked the season for us and has given us a little bit of a false dawn.

“Yes, we were happy with the end of the season, but in reflecting on the season as a whole it was a pretty average for us so we are determined to be a lot better this season.”