We must find gritty side to save season, says Shaun Edwards

Back in the fold: England flanker Joe Worsley returns from Six Nations duty for Wasps in their Premiership clash at Bath
Chris Jones13 April 2012

Head coach Shaun Edwards has ordered London Wasps to "grit their teeth and get on with the job" as they attempt to keep their slim hopes of Heineken Cup qualification alive against Bath.

Defeat by Saracens on Sunday ensured the reigning Guinness Premiership champions will not make the play-offs and a loss at the Recreation Ground will severely damage their chances of being in Europe's top club competition next term.

A top-seven finish could be good enough to make the Heineken Cup but failing to qualify will be a big financial blow for Wasps.

Edwards said: "There is nothing else we can do than to start nailing these games that we are letting slip through our grasp in the final minutes.

"We have to go out there against Bath and grit our teeth and get on with the job of trying to make the Heineken Cup. Yes, we have had to make a lot of changes with such a short turn around from our Sunday match but there is no point moaning about it.

"We have always made it clear that with our best players available we are a match for anyone and we haven't been able to do that this season for various reasons."

Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani is starting to find his true form after a serious ankle injury and partners Joe Simpson at half-back against a Bath side that features Springbok Butch James at No10.

Cipriani is mounting a credible challenge to make the Lions tour party to take on a South African team this summer that could feature James at No10. Edwards will be the Lions defence coach and has been watching the 30-year-old closely.

Edwards said: "Butch James is a very intelligent player both with the ball in the hand and his kicking game.

"He is very creative but South Africa have a number of very good No10s and No9s who they could choose against the Lions. Butch does like to take risks in attack which makes him dangerous. Danny played very well against Saracens and he is back up where we want him to be."

Josh Lewsey is given a break for this match, Tom Rees drops to the bench while Joe Worsley returns after England Six Nations action as Wasps try to deal with two games in four days.

Wasps, meanwhile, will benefit greatly from the recommendation from the game's rulers that many of the experimental laws will be thrown out next month, most notably being able to pull down the maul.

They used the maul to great effect becoming the best team in Europe but have scored only 23 tries in this term compared to over 60 last season.

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