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'If something is going to annoy us, that would do it'
YOU would have thought the rugby world had learned by now not to write Wasps off.
Even in benevolent mood the current European champions make spiky opponents - stirring their pride before a potentially pivotal Heineken Cup group match is no way to mellow them.
Forwards coach Craig Dowd said: "The papers in Clermont are writing us off apparently.
"I can't speak French but the people that can tell me they're not giving us much hope.
"We don't need any more motivation, but if something's going to annoy us a little that would do it."
It is just about the perfect attitude to take into a cauldron of French patriotism.
Director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "There will be 15,000 there and they will make a lot of noise, but it's the sort of atmosphere we relish.
"It pulls us together and the way we've been playing we know we can rely on each other to put in a top-class performance.
"We need to because Clermont have a talented squad and have put it together with a view to winning things.
"This group will go right to the wire so every game is a cup final, but we know the intensity that's required to win games like this. We've got to play on the edge. That's when we're at our best."
Wasps' backs have torn most defences to shreds in the last month but if the men in black want a result at the Parc des Sports tomorrow, it's likely to be the pack that gets it for them.
Dowd said: "If you can't hold the tide back up front you are in for a tough afternoon at the office."
South Africa's World Cup winning captain John Smit is one of the Clermont's high-profile signings, but Dowd says the danger is elsewhere in the pack.
He said: "John Smit is having a few teething problems settling in their side. They've got two international quality hookers and you've got to pick your in-form players and for me that's Argentine Mario Ledesma.
"He's been there longer and is a very, very good scrummager. He combines very well with his tight head and is good all round the field. So I think John will be on the bench. That's what I'd do."
Dowd won't be having sleepless night either way though.
He said: "It took a while, but we've been getting better and better all season and our forward play has started to come into its own now.
"It's always nice to get your stars back but players like George Skivington have really stepped up to the mark.
"Tim Payne is getting back to his old form after six months out and James Haskell seems to have picked his game up now he's in direct competition with some of the England boys."
England captain Phil Vickery is also back firing after playing his first game since the World Cup Final last weekend, Tom Rees is also available but the game appears to have come just a little too early for Tom Palmer.
Dowd said: "Tom played one game for us on Monday Wasps A but is still a little off the pace.
"He's excited about coming back from a nasty back injury but he realises he's got a tough challenge in front of him.
"George Skivington is combining very well with Simon Shaw, one of if not the best tight head lock in the world, and I believe he should be knocking on the door of England honours.
"There's a good vibe among the forwards, real competition for places and we've got the personnel to pull together and deliver.
"We're sitting in the box seat in our pool at the moment, but that could all change come Saturday afternoon.
"This is a massive game for us. It would be nice to go to Munster having already qualified and this game could determine that for us."
12:57pm Friday 7th December 2007
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