Tom Rees is inspired by Michael Lipman showdown

Tom Rees today admitted the chance to eclipse Michael Lipman in the race to become England's No7 in New Zealand this summer will be a motivating factor when London Wasps battle Bath for a Guinness Premiership play-off final place at Wycombe on Sunday.

Lipman, the Bath open-side flanker, is the man in possession of the England jersey following his rival's serious knee injury in the opening Six Nations clash with Wales.

But Rees is now back to his best form and pressing Lipman hard for the starting position in the summer's two tests against the All Blacks.

Rees accepts he cannot let personal ambition detract from what has to be a team effort from Wasps, who have won nine of their last 10 league matches, but knows what's at stake.

He said: "I would be lying if I didn't admit the battle with Michael had not crossed my mind this week.

"He is the guy in possession after a great season for club and country but I feel I'm back in form and I'm sure the England selectors will be keeping an eye on what happens.

"It will do my international cause good if I can produce the goods on Sunday. But I'm only too aware that for me to shine the whole team needs to function and I have a role to play in making that happen. You cannot get wrapped up in a one-to-one contest when there is so much at stake.

"We want to win the Premiership title and have come off three games in a week while Bath had a gruelling loss to Gloucester last weekend."

Rees was left out of Wasps' bonus-point win at Leeds, which took them into second place, and he believes the rest has been vital.

"I felt good in the team meeting before the Leeds game and then when I went out on to the pitch for the warm-up I could hardly put one leg in front of the other," he said. "I realised taking a break was the best option but now I am raring to go."

Paul Sackey, the England wing, will be given until the last possible moment to declare himself fit after injuring a medial ligament helping Wasps defeat Leeds. Josh Lewsey would take over on the wing if Sackey is rested.

Wasps expect to have prop Pat Barnard fit to appear in the No3 jersey in a team that have made a typically strong finish to the season.

"We always perform better when our backs are against the wall," said Fraser Waters, the veteran England and Wasps centre. "We haven't won the Premiership title for a couple of years and want it back."

Bath hope to have England front-row forwards Matt Stevens and Lee Mears fit to play and pugnacious lock Danny Grewcock will have a point to prove against Tom Palmer, who has been chosen ahead of the Bath man for the New Zealand tour.

Another exciting head-to-head sees Danny Cipriani facing Olly Barkely, the player who is likely to be the Wasps No10's inside-centre in the England team against the All Blacks.