Bates eager to capitalise on busy Wasps

Wasps face their third Guinness Premiership game in eight days, having seen hopes of a successful title defence finally disappear with a midweek defeat against Bath.

Players like fly-half Danny Cipriani, centre Dominic Waldouck and lock Simon Shaw have been ever-present during that punishing run of fixtures. Bates said: "There has obviously been an element of rotation for them in certain positions."

He added: "But nonetheless, it is a massive workload for any side to play three times inside a week, and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.

"Our guys are nice and fresh after a nine-day build-up, which has included two valuable rest days, and we are going down there with a full tank.

"We are under no illusions about the task in hand, playing away to the champions, and we're expecting a bruising and keenly-contested affair against a team which is alongside us in the little mini-league fighting for the last European place.

"Both clubs have a huge desire to qualify through their Premiership placing, and Sunday's game could end up having a major say in terms of that particular battle."

Newcastle are again without Jonny Wilkinson while he continues his recovery from a long-standing knee injury, and Bates added: "Our medical team continues to assess Jonny on a daily basis.

"And when we get the green light from them, we will consider him for selection."