The Exiles could feel the backlash from an improving Wasps side who were badly stung by their Premiership defeat at Sunbury in the autumn. Dick Best, a caretaker coach of the Irish, used to enjoy dumping Wasps out of the Cup in his time with Harlequins but he will find it harder to work the same magic with raw material that often seems. . . well, a bit raw.
If Wasps can reduce their errors in contact, they should coast home with a bit to spare.
In the key head-to-head of the match, Brendan Venter, the Exiles' new South African centre, possesses the vision and the pace to put England's Nick Greenstock under the cosh.
Northampton v Newcastle
Northampton believe they have sufficient muscle and fire power to reverse the narrow home defeat they suffered at the hands of Newcastle in their Premiership meeting. Certainly Ian McGeechan, the hosts' director of rugby, has a rare talent for neutralising the obvious physical assets of the opposition as he showed in South Africa last summer. Newcastle's unbeaten domestic run hangs in the balance.
Richmond v Saracens
Motivation is a problem for Richmond, a side who blow hot and cold from week to week. Recently John Kingston, the club's director of rugby, told his players to stroll down the A3 and take a long hard look at Twickenham, the venue for the final on May 10th. It remains to be seen whether communing quietly with the concrete canyon will inspire Ben Clarke's men to victory over smoothly-drilled Saracens who look a good outside bet for a league and Cup double.
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