Blame me for poor start, says Rafael Ibanez

With World Cup winner Dallaglio retired and key defensive back Fraser Waters now playing for Treviso, the Guinness Premiership champions have managed only one victory.

And the strain is beginning to show, as demonstrated by the training ground bust-up between Danny Cipriani and team-mate Josh Lewsey.

Wasps will now try to regroup and focus on the Heineken Cup. They are bidding for a third European title and Ibanez is determined to put things right against Castres at Adams Park on Sunday.

The former France skipper said: "As captain, I feel responsible for what has happened this season and I can take the blame for what went wrong from the start. It is not a problem for me to say that because it is my job. I have to make sure we have total trust in what we are doing. I am still very confident and I keep that faith.

"I know this group of players have won a lot of trophies. We have strong characters in the team and it's time for us to show this on the pitch. When you go through rough times, as a senior player you can do your own job as well as ensure everyone focuses on the basics. If everyone does their job, there isn't any reason why we cannot get back to where we were."

The one saving grace is that Wasps begin their European campaign against a side who are also having domestic troubles.

"Even though they are struggling in the French Championship, I'm sure Castres think we are more vulnerable and will fancy their chances," said Ibanez. "We must make sure it doesn't happen."

Training ground troubles aside, Wasps will take heart from the return of England No10 Cipriani, who showed in his 50-minute first outing against Bath a week ago that he retains the ability to ignite the back line while also accumulating points with his trusty left boot.

Ibanez and Simon Shaw have also been absent but Sunday should see Wasps field their strongest XV for the first time this season.

With that in mind, Ibanez is urging his team not to waste the chance to kick-start their campaign. "It is time to wake up," he said. "This game is massive for us. I hope the Heineken Cup can be a trigger for Wasps.

"I trust the team and the coaching staff. They are very good at identifying what's wrong but it's one thing to pinpoint problems and another to put them right on the pitch.

"Yes, we are normally more clinical in our play. There have been too many errors, which leads to frustration. We need to get back to what makes us good as a team and that means destructive running and strong defence. That hasn't been the case in recent weeks.

"If we are honest, we have to recognise that though we have many very talented young players, it comes down to the experienced guys like me to step up over the next few weeks.

"When guys like Lawrence and Fraser leave then it's like icons have gone from the team. You cannot really replace what they brought to the club but we have other players who are also very talented and who must take over."