Wasps bank on feel-good factor

Wasps have sidelined their own version of the 'Magnificent Seven' for Sunday's Heineken Cup home game against Italian side Calvisano, but are still confident of winning. With a little help, that is, from the World Cup factor.

Skipper Lawrence Dallaglio, one of seven leading players given a week off in preparation for next weekend's likely Pool Six decider at Perpignan, believes the presence of the Webb Ellis Cup at the game will help to create a real buzz around the Causeway Stadium.

"I think Wasps have been very clever in scheduling the appearance of the World Cup trophy for this game," said Dallaglio. "Myself, Josh Lewsey and Simon Shaw might not be playing, but we will be parading the trophy and it is partly the World Cup's presence which has assured a near-capacity gate.

"Without being unfair to Calvisano, this is not the sort of fixture which would have attracted that sort of crowd a few years ago, but it just goes to show how well we at Wasps are doing and how much English rugby has taken off following the World Cup win."

Rob Howley, Craig Dowd, Fraser Waters and Phil Greening are the other four star players rested this weekend.

England No8 Dallaglio added: "Beating Celtic Warriors in Wales last Friday night was a huge result - especially after we'd played badly in losing at home to them the previous week.