Hanks happy with Toulouse start
London Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks says he and the club are looking forward to European rugby and opening with a match against Toulouse.
Wasps are not a side that have enjoyed the virtues and quality of playing in the Heineken Cup every single season but it seems that everyone at the club is determined to try their hardest to win it this season.
However, it will be difficult for Wasps because France has emerged as the strongest rugby playing nation in Europe over the last year. This is a reflection of the quality in the French leagues and many expect Wasps to get dumped out at the first hurdle.
Wasps have a lot going for them in their quest for European glory. It's important to remember though that the standard is higher than it has ever been before.
A lot going for them
Wasps have a very well balanced side that combines big and strong players with much faster and agile players. This allows the team to play conventional rugby and this will help them in Europe and in England this coming season.
Wasps know what it is like to win the European Cup of rugby, having done so in 2004 and 2007. There will still be members of the coaching and playing staff who will remember the brilliant feeling and they will want to replicate it.
Wasps look as though they thrive on being written off. This can be beneficial because it takes all of the pressure off of a side. If you go into a match expected to lose then it can mean players raise their game.
Hanks said: "We are really excited to back in the Heineken Cup this season - it was a huge focus for us last year and it is what the players, coaches, supporters want to be involved in. We took some really good learning out of the Amlin Challenge Cup last season and enjoyed those fixtures but this group is very focused on being the best and challenging themselves against the best and that is what the Heineken Cup is about."
Better standard than ever before
There is a better standard generally in European rugby than ever before. France wiped the floor with the home nations and Italy during the last Six Nations event and this showed how good some of the French domestic sides now are.
French teams move the ball so quickly that it can be very hard to read the play in a matter of seconds and adjust accordingly. This is something Wasps will have to keep in mind when they face Toulouse.
Hanks added: "Playing the defending champions at Le Stadium in the opening round is the sort of big game we want to be involved in - There are no weak sides, each of them I believe, well capable of winning the competition, certainly all well capable of getting results on the road."
Betting advice
Don't be afraid to have a punt on Wasps winning against Toulouse but be a little more conservative before you back them to win the Heineken Cup. There are some great teams in the competition and the best option is to wait and see how they play over a couple of games as opposed to one. This will let you judge their form and consistency.
If you prefer to back individuals across a season then you can always rely on the kicker in any team. The kicker will have the chance to score from penalties and conversions and always finishes matches, competitions and the season with a high number of points in the bank.
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