After tough week we face final play-off push

RUGBY COMMENT: IAN McGEECHAN

IT’S been a tough week for everyone here at Wasps, with two big Premiership games in the space of four days. But thanks to Wednesday night’s crucial win at Newcastle, we can now go into the final game of the season with our play-off destiny in our own hands.

Saturday’s crucial trip to Leeds Carnegie needs one last effort from the lads to hoist us into the top four. Sunday’s 25-17 defeat at Gloucester ended our eight-match winning run and disappointed me in that I felt they deserved it more than we did.

MORE PRESSURE

It also put more pressure on us to get a result on Wednesday, or face the prospect of missing out on a top-four place, therefore undoing all our hard work in getting there. Thankfully the boys, and the forwards in particular, were back on their game and that resulted in a much-needed bonus point victory.

We’ve got the smallest squad in the Premiership and two games in four days was always likely to be a big ask for the players. The forwards were fantastic on Wednesday night and we’ll be needing that same drive and influence to guide us through the Leeds game.

Tom Rees and Tim Payne were outstanding despite playing in both matches, as was captain John Hart. These guys made all the difference. Leeds may already be relegated after a difficult season in the Premiership but we are under no illusions that we are in for a tough battle.

They are a competitive side and we are going to have to be on our game to get a result there. As it stands, there are still six teams in the running for the play-offs. You couldn’t get a better climax to the season than this and it promises to be a thrilling finale.

PLEASING

It was pleasing this week, meanwhile, to see some of our lads nominated for this year’s PRA Awards. Danny Cipriani, Riki Flutey and Paul Sackey have all made the shortlist for Player’s Player of the Year, while Cipriani again, along with James Haskell, are among the nominations for Young Player.

It’s always extremely flattering to be nominated for awards, especially by your peers and the lads deserve that recognition.