Will Wasps slay the Dragons?
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The sixth fixture on Saturday sees Wasps heading to Rodney Parade where Dragons lie in wait.
The hosts are currently on a run of two straight victories in the Pro14, the most recent of which was a 7-point victory over Benetton.
Meanwhile, their opponents, Wasps, were taken by surprise in the Premiership last weekend by a rampant Newcastle Falcons side. The loss will no doubt have eliminated any complacency within the squad strengthened last year’s finalists’ resolve going into this clash against the Welshmen.
In terms of the Champions Cup, Wasps have a decidedly more flattering record than do the Dragons. Of Wasps’ 112 outings, they have emerged victorious in 66 of them for an overall winning percentage of 59.
By contrast, of Dragons’ total of 42 games, they have won only 9, giving them an unhealthy 21% winning record.
Head-to-head:
The teams have met only twice in the past with Wasps taking the spoils on both occasions. The first game between them was played in December of 2010 and yielded a score of 23-16.
One week after that, they locked horns again and, this time, Wasps well and truly slew the Dragons, running out 37-10 victors.
Match facts:
- This will be the third time the Dragons and Wasps have faced each other in the Heineken Champions Cup, with the English side winning both those games, during the pool stage in 2010/11.
- The Dragons have lost their last 10 games in the Heineken Champions Cup, currently the longest losing streak among the teams that are taking part in this edition; however they played their last game in the competition in January 2011, at home against the Glasgow Warriors (16-23).
- Wasps have lost their last seven away games in the Heineken Champions Cup, their longest such losing streak in the competition, but have won on three of their last four visits to Welsh opposition (L1).
- Wasps’ Jack Willis won 10 turnovers in the Challenge Cup last season, the joint most of any player (also Gabin Villiere), including a competition-high eight jackal turnovers.
- Sam Davies (Dragons) scored 67 points in the Challenge Cup last season, the joint third most of any player; all his points came from kicks at goal, successfully landing 28 of 32 attempts.
Match particulars:
Venue: Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 17:30
Referee: Romain Poite (Fra)
Assistant Referee 1: Dan Jones (Wal)
Assistant Referee 2: Gwyn Morris (Wal)
TMO: Nigel Owens (Wal)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (Ire)
