When Wasps last entertained Leinster in Europe, they won 51-10 on their way to the Champions Cup semi-finals. It was only three years ago and completed an 84-16 season’s double, but when the sides meet at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday it is the Premiership side who are facing the hiding.
Wasps have not won a match in Europe this season, conceding a half-century of points in Dublin in the opening round and doubled by Toulouse with only a draw at home to Bath offering any solace. “We do not want a repeat of what happened in Leinster,” said their coach, Dai Young. “We are facing what is effectively the Ireland team just before the Six Nations and if we are not near our best it will be a tough day.” At least they will not have to worry about Jonathan Sexton, who is again absent with a knee injury.
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The move from Wycombe to Coventry was meant to bring stability, but Wasps keep rebuilding. They lost 11 players last summer, and following them out this year will be Nathan Hughes, Willie le Roux and Jake Cooper-Woolley. They could be joined by Elliot Daly, who has been linked with Saracens. The England full-back has another season to run on his contract but it includes a clause allowing him to leave if Wasps do not move to a new training ground.
They have reached an agreement with Old Leamingtonians but planning permission has yet to be sought, leaving Daly’s future potentially in the hands of lawyers. “Losing players is part and parcel of professional sport and it is where we are with the salary cap,” said Young. “We are looking at ways of improving what we do here, such as the player experience so that they do not want to leave. We want them to feel that this is the place to be.”
Referring to the impending loss of Le Roux and Hughes, he added: “We did as much as we could to keep them, and while the circumstances of their going is disappointing, we get it. It is a professional sport and a short career, but we are not stupid enough to think there is nothing we can do better.”
Wasps have signed the New Zealand centre Malakai Fekitoa from Toulon and he will join fellow All Black Lima Sopoaga in Coventry next season. “There will be more players going but others will come in to soften the blow,” said Young. “The salary cap makes it hard to fit certain players in and every club is finding that.”