Leicester bid to deliver killer blow to Biarritz
A Leicester victory at Parc des Sport Aguilera, coupled with Wasps’ anticipated success against Italian minnows Calvisano, would effectively make Pool One a straight fight between the two Zurich Premiership giants.
Biarritz, already beaten by Wasps, are fighting for survival, and Wells accepts the stakes are high.
“At this stage of our group, I think it is a key game,” said Wells, who has gone for experience in selection by calling up 33-year-old former England hooker Richard Cockerill.
“Should Biarritz lose this match, then they could battle to motivate themselves for the remainder of the competition, but we have to do the hard work to put them in that situation.
“All these top French clubs are alike. They’re different teams when at home, and any club finds it difficult to get a result in France.”
The significance of tomorrow’s occasion is not lost on Biarritz coach Patrice Lagisquet, who was appalled by how little creativity his team showed in losing 25-12 against Wasps last time out.
“We know that we have got to beat Leicester,” said the former French international.
“If we lose again, then I believe we are eliminated from the Heineken Cup.
“We will need to take the initiative. We have scored a lot of tries in the French Championship, and we scored 18 in the Heineken Cup pool stage last season, but it is hard to score if you aren’t able to put more than two phases of play together.”
England lock Simon Shaw makes his first start of the season in a much-changed Wasps team that heads to Italy. Shaw has recovered from a neck problem, but Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny O’Connor and Mark Van Gisbergen are among seven players rested, while Matt Dawson, Alex King and Joe Worsley feature on the bench.
“It has been a long wait for me to get back to playing,” said Shaw. “My aim at the moment is to get through these 80 minutes without much hassle, and then hopefully get back into the England squad in the near future.”
Llanelli Scarlets, twice Heineken Cup semi-finalists, face a vital Pool Three encounter at Northampton, where they cannot afford another defeat after their home loss against Toulouse seven days ago.
Northampton suffered a setback today when their England hooker Steve Thompson failed a fitness test on his rib injury.
Harlequins must beat French outfit Castres at The Stoop tomorrow to at least give themselves a fighting chance in Pool Four, but a record of eight successive defeats this season doesn’t auger well.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
