Frazzled Wasps take time out to recharge

IF EVER a game illustrated the contrasting mental states of two sides this was it – Bristol all bustle and resilience, Wasps a depleting force in need of a holiday.

- TOM BRADSHAW

Lee Blackett, the Wasps head coach, immediately declared a three-day break for his players after admitting they were weathering a hangover from last season’s Premiership final. The Six Nations window has been especially troubling for Wasps, with six losses in seven.

“This is going to test us all,” said Blackett. “It’s going to test me, it’s going to test all the coaching team and all the players. We either become a victim and look for excuses or we get our heads down and work hard and get through it.

“The players will have three days off. I think we need it. We need that mental break to get ourselves right.”

Mental rejuvenation could also come via the return of backs Dan Robson and Paolo Odogwu from England camp, with Blackett confident they will “make a difference and freshen things up”.