London Wasps

There is only one thing tempering the fever pitch excitement at the prospect of the Autumn Internationals. Martin Johnson takes charge, Danny Cipriani is fit again, the Big Three are all coming to Twickenham - and there’s an array of other reasons to be cheerful.

Nevertheless, the potential impact of the ELVs seems to hang in the air, as unwelcome as Neil Back at Thomond Park.

During some of the games I’ve seen this season, the ELVs have gone largely unnoticed and the high standard of domestic rugby has been maintained; but for others, where the ELVs have reared their ugly head, the impact has only been negative.

We haven’t seen a more free-running game with tries galore, and although reports suggest that the ball is in play slightly longer, one commentator suggested that it’s not much use when it’s 50 feet in the air. The experiment appears to have proven that wholesale changes in rules will produce effects that had not previously been imagined in the Australian law laboratory, and that actually, we don’t need to change the rules anyway.

The most obvious side effect is the seemingly ceaseless end-to-end kicking that dominated the Super 14 and that has been brought to the Northern Hemisphere. Full backs are kicking in field which obbiously keeps the ball alive, but how many times has the retrieving side actually counter-attacked as the law proponents envisaged?

Instead, they have just booted it back to where it came from with the result that five-minute spells are ridden with an exchange of aerial table tennis until someone makes a mistake. You can only sympathise with the forwards as they run back and forth, largely unrewarded but determined nonetheless, just in case the ball is spilled.

The referees’ interpretation of laws in the tackle area have also led to some baffling decisions, and the inconsistency has been stifling games. The safest option is to kick long, play in the opposition territory just in case you turn the ball over or give away a penalty in kicking range.

Many rugby supporters would say that in the most enjoyable games, the referee hardly gets noticed. The IRB’s tinkering with rules has meant that the referee - and their own interpretation of the laws - is often becoming the centre of focus, and their impact on the result is arguably too great. Referees ought to blend into the occasion, allowing the teams to play without confused whistling and constant interruption.

My fear of the ELVs is actually two-fold: not only does this kicking calamity become a bore to watch, but it doesn’t really play into England’s hands as in-play kicking is rarely a strength - remember that 36-0 drubbing in the World Cup when Andy Farrell et al gifted the Springboks plenty of ball?

If we are kicking aimlessly against the likes of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Mils Muliaina this autumn, they might just not kick it back and run through us instead. The implications could be a heavy defeat that is tedious to see - not what anyone wants!

Surely the trial has proved enough already and it’s time for the ‘brains’ behind the ELVs to wind their necks in and pretend this outrageous episode never happened?

What are your thoughts on the ELVs? Has anyone had their leg broken by a collapsed maul yet?

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Friday evening sees the start of a packed schedule of Guinness Premiership rugby over the next eight days, and as always, there are some potentially brilliant clashes.

Leicester and Wasps meet at Welford Road, each with a 100% record so far this season. Danny Cipriani has been making headlines about his possible return to action, but James Haskell is banned and captain Raphael Ibanez is rested. Leicester have made a few changes in the pack, and certainly are the favourites on paper. I’m predicting that both clubs will maintain their 100% records.

Sale host Gloucester at Edgeley Park looking to set a record for conceding no tries in four games, and they won’t be weak at the knees at the news that Iain Balshaw will make his first start of the season. Another home win should be on the cards for the Sharks.

Newcastle Falcons are at Home to Bristol in another Friday night fixture. This isn’t the most exciting match on the list this weekend, and although Richard Hill has recalled his old guard in the shape of Matt Salter, Roy Winters and Mark Regan, Newcastle ought to take the points.

Worcester visit Bath on Saturday afternoon and face another difficult fixture after last week’s narrow loss to Leicester at Sixways. In contrast, Bath had a good away victory, and are favourites to pick up further points at The Rec.

Harlequins play London Irish at The Stoop, with both sides looking to return to winning ways after narrow defeats in the previous round. Quins have only lost once at Home since January, but London Irish have strong Away form - nevertheless, I’ve predicted another Home win.

In the final match of the round, Saracens face Northampton after a crushing bonus-point victory over Newcastle last week. A difficult match to call, but seeing as I’ve picked the Home team in every other fixture, I’m backing Saracens but not by much.

Here are my SuperBru predictions for Round 4 - you may notice I’ve revised my strategy of predicting large winning margins, since nearly every game has been so close:

Game 19: Leicester Tigers v London Wasps: Leicester Tigers by 8

Game 20: Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby: Sale Sharks by 5

Game 21: Newcastle Falcons v Bristol Rugby: Newcastle Falcons by 8

Game 22: Bath Rugby v Worcester Warriors: Bath Rugby by 10

Game 23: Harlequins v London Irish: Harlequins by 6

Game 24: Saracens v Northampton Saints: Saracens by 4

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The start to the 2008/09 Guinness Premiership campaign hasn't gone exactly to plan for the reigning champions with a combination of injuries, losses and disciplinary hearings. So far this season London Wasps have managed to lose all three premiership outings leaving them lingering  in an unfamiliar place at the bottom of the table, however there could be a light at the end of hopefully a very short tunnel.

Danny Cipriani, the Professional Rugby Players Association Young Player of the Year, is back in the Wasps fold after suffering what was considered a near career threatening injury back in May against Bath in the Premiership playoffs.

Cipriani shot to fame last year when his combination of raw talent, speed, and rugby vision helped Wasps from a struggling mid table to the playoffs last season and this was just the start. The young Wasp went on to be picked for Brian Ashton's 2008 Six Nations squad and then to take the place of 2003 hero Jonny Wilkinson in the starting lineup for the Ireland match which England went on to win 33-10, the first Six Nations victory over the Irish since 2003.

It seemed that England had found a new talisman and for the first time in long, long time England fans were anticipating the summer tour to New Zealand, to see what the newly revitalized squad could do against the mighty All Blacks.

Alas, for Cipriani it was not to be, during the playoff game with Bath the young Fly-half suffered a horrific ankle fracture-dislocation after being trapped at the bottom of a ruck, putting him out of action until October.

What happened over the summer was somewhat reminiscent of the 1998 tour of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa dubbed the "Tour from Hell," as England went on to lose the Test series 2 - 0.

But with the autumn internationals fast approaching, Martin Johnson for one will be pleased to see Cipriani's almost remarkable recovery coming to an end much sooner than anticipated, as will the Wasps coach Ian McGeechan whos team will be glad for the moral boost going into a huge clash with Premiership leaders Leicester on the weekend.

With Cipriani targeting a return as soon as Wasps midweek fixture against Bath on the 1st October, many a Wasps fan will be gripped to their seats anticipating the successful return of the youngster to a black and gold jersey. 

England golden boy is on this way back for injury, and possibly making a return in the Premiership clash with title rivals Bath on October 1.

The mercurial fly half has found his way back from his horrific fracture dislocation he suffered, and recently just gone through his first contact session unscathed.

Cipriani suffered his injury last season when London wasps met Bath in the semi final of the Guinness Premiership, after a freak incident caused the young England player's ankle to fracture and dislocate, ending in a rather freaky position on the ankle.

Fridays clash against Leicester has proved to come too soon for Cipriani, but he can't wait to get going again.

"I am going to have to sort of calm myself a bit as I will be very excited and ready to play.

"It will be good to be in front of the home crowd and hear my name called out at the start of the match, so it kicks in and that you know you are about to play in a Premiership match and those four months are over now." said the young Wasps 10.

Cipriani is full of praise for his surgeon and is very thankful for everyone involved in his recovery.

"My surgeon James Calder did a fantastic job. I saw the x-rays that evening—and I am grateful that I did because they showed the ankle was dead straight which meant I could see it was going realign properly and be fine in the end.

"I had doubts [about returning] and I voiced my opinions but my friends just told me to be quiet because it is what it is and you just have to get on with it and that is what I have tried to do."

With his return earlier than expected this has given the England management the joy of having him available for the Autumn internationals. In the hope that is ready, and not rushed into anything considering what he has been through.

Obviously it is too early in the season to cast away a team like London Wasps as possible champions, considering being in a 10th placed abyss at christmas last season, but still having the guts and determination to come back to steal the show.

But surely, after slumping to their third consecutive defeat of the new season. Alarm bells must be ringing at Adams Park. Complacency has settled in, a run of bad luck and a lack of determination has seen Wasps fall a victim to London Irish, Worcester and Northampton Saints.

Ex players and commentators alike have jumped on the bandwagon with the critics hitting out at the departures that have plagued the side, and have labeled the old heads for not stepping up to the plate.

Danny Cipriani has been named one of the causes for Wasps demise in form. The England golden is having a speedy recovery but it could still be mid-November till we see him lace up his boots again. However I still think this problems roots are deeper than just the vacancy of a World Class 10.

Another apparent problem is that the backs have no platform to play off. The pack is not currently the problem, Wasps have a strong forward drive, with a back row that most clubs would get on their knees for.

Players form is now dropping, and players in key positions are losing focus and consistency.

Josh Lewsey is one.

the ex-England full back suffered a nightmare on Saturday gifting the Saints two tries. Lewsey also an "old head" is a key member of the Wasps squad, and they need him to perform and lead the youngsters into the tough game wasps play.

I truly believe one of the main problems in the departure of their motivating captain Lawrence Dallaglio. Big 'Lol' was an inspiration to everyone that donned the Wasps shirt.

I do not believe it is his on-field expertese they truely miss.

 It is the true grit and determination that Dallaglio played with. The way he spoke to his team. His desire to win any way possible. His influence over his team was obviously doubted as a true leader is really needed at Adams Park, and I don't see anyone emerging to take his throne.