Wasps drowning in Guinness

Played two, lost two. It makes sorry reading for defending champions Wasps, but that is the nature of the Guinness Premiership this season, no easy games.

However, there must still be an air of panic down at the training ground in Twyford, for these are the games that Wasps need to win if they want to be at Twickenham come next May.

They have a number of players who are going to be away on international duty soon, more than any other club, so while they have an almost full squad to call upon (bar Danny Cipriani) they must capitalise. They are not.

It has never been an easy league to win and with the end of season play-off system, it is all about pacing yourself, a skill Wasps have honed in recent years.

No outsiders

This year though, there are more teams challenging than ever before.

Sale, who are the only team to win the league and then go on to win the play-offs, have brought in quality like Dwayne Peel and Matthew Tait, to add to the majestic Luke McAlister and sprinkling of Gallic and Gaelic flair and grit elsewhere in the squad. And don't overlook Charlie 'the choker' Hogson to kill a game off with an hour remaining.

Gloucester and Bath both have gallons of potential, with delicately poised youth and experience combined. Although the Cherry Whites stole derby day honours at The Rec on Saturday both teams should expect to be top four come play-off time.

Although not as fancied as in previous years, Leicester Tigers are still a massive force in the game. The biggest club in the country is under new leadership, and if ex Falcon, Toby Flood can start dominating games then they will also be there or there abouts.

8-9-10

Normally the list then starts to fade, but not this season. London Irish, Saracens, Harlequins and even newly promoted Northampton all have squads and players capable to challenge.

The Nick Easter-Danny Care-Nick Evans axis at Quins is arguably the best in the league, and with Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick now at Saracens the Fez's will be no push over.

Worcester, Bristol and Newcastle, will be the three teams who I fear may struggle. Newcastle rely on Wilkinson far too much, and he is unlikely to play more than half a season. Bristol just don't have the players, and Worcester don't seem to have the consistency.

That leaves Wasps, who could finish anywhere from first to last. Inspirational one week, dreadful the next. Dallaglio leaving is definitely no excuse, and McGeechan will not allow it to be. Playing in Wycombe, although also no excuse, is still ridiculous. They must return to the capital if they want to capitalise on their quality.