Richard Haughton

London Wasps interim Director of Rugby Leon Holden has today named his side to face Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens in the Aviva Premiership Rugby on Sunday.

Holden has made four changes from the starting line -up that beat Sale Sharks in the last round of the competition.

Rob Webber returns for his first start since-mid November to take his place at hooker. The returning vice-captain will add to the leadership on the field and will hope to regain the form he had prior to injury. Webber’s inclusion means that Joe Ward moves to the bench.

The back row remains unchanged from the game against Sale Sharks, with Andy Powell being rested with a view to the volume of games over the next few weeks.

Elsewhere there are also re-calls for prop Zak Taulafo and centre Steve Kefu while lock Simon Shaw returns from a successful international campaign with England in the Six Nations to take his place in the second row alongside captain Richard Birkett.

Looking ahead to the game Leon Holden said: “The game against Northampton this weekend marks the start of a crucial period for us in the Premiership starting with two away games against Northampton and London Irish before we welcome Leeds to Adams Park and head to Twickenham for our St George’s Day Game.

We must take every game on its own merits but a good run of results in this block of fixtures will define our season.”

London Wasps team to face Northampton Saints on Sunday 27th March, KO 1.45pm, live on SkySports1 and HD1:

15 Richard Haughton

14 Ben Jacobs

13 Steve Kefu

12 Riki Flutey

11 David Lemi

10 Dave Walder

9 Joe Simpson

1 Tim Payne

2 Rob Webber

3 Zak Taulafo

4 Simon Shaw

5 Richard Birkett (c)

6 John Hart

7 Joe Worsley

8 Dan Ward-Smith

16 Joe Ward

17 Ben Broster

18 Tom French

19 James Cannon

20 Serge Betsen

21 Nic Berry

22 Dom Waldouck

23 Mark van Gisbergen