Phil Vickery leads winless London Wasps out against Guinness Premiership leaders Leicester at Welford Road tonight in what could be a season-defining contest.

Wasps have been a constant thorn in Leicester's side in recent seasons.

They ruined Martin Johnson's 2005 Twickenham farewell, snatched away the Heineken Cup in 2007 and emerged victorious in last season's Premiership final.

However, the reigning champions have lost all three league matches this season, the iconic Lawrence Dallaglio has retired, lock Simon Shaw is injured, both half-backs have been dropped and Josh Lewsey has moved from full-back to wing because he keeps gifting the opposition tries from high kicks.

So it is not the best time for them to be visiting the Tigers.

"Yes, we are staring down the barrel of a gun and are about to play at one of the most difficult places in European rugby," said Vickery.

"But it's a fantastic challenge and why I play rugby. If I didn't think we could go to Leicester and win, then I wouldn't bother getting on the team coach."

However, with Leicester lauding it over the rest of the Premiership under new coach Heyneke Meyer, this could be a long and painful night for Wasps.

"In terms of a rugby test, there is no better place than Leicester with a full house," said Vickery. "It is in these situations that players really find out about themselves.

"The ethos of the squad and the excellence of the Wasps management is spot-on and it comes down to replicating what we are doing on the training pitch in a big game.

"There are a lot of good teams in the Premiership and the results - apart from Saracens' win over Newcastle - have been very tight. But it's still not good enough for Wasps to come out on the wrong side in those three matches."

The absence of Shaw, Dallaglio and Fraser Waters, who decided to end his career playing in Italy, has removed three critical players from the Wasps squad. Shaw is the biggest, strongest and most experienced forward on the books, Dallaglio was a colossal leader and Waters was the key figure in the club's famous "blitz" defence. Vickery accepts that this trio will be difficult to replace but insists others are ready to rise to the challenge. He said: "It's a huge ask for anyone to fill the void Lawrence left and maybe you can never really replace someone of Lol's talent and leadership."

But Vickery, who leads the team tonight in the absence of Rafael Ibanez, added: "Other players have to step up to the plate and show what they can achieve at this level. When the team are losing it is a burden we have to carry and people will point out that Lol isn't in the team or that Shawsy is out injured.

"Fraser is another guy who is so hard to replace because, in my opinion, he was superb for this club for 10 years, controlling things in midfield and shaping the defence which was such a big part of our success.

"Now, we have Riki Flutey and Dominic Waldouck forming a new midfield partnership. It will take time but they are both very good players.

"And Richard Birkett and Tom Palmer bring different skills to the team and are just as important as Shaw. I know the tide is going to turn and we are capable of getting a result at Leicester."

One thing Leicester won't be, however, is over confident. Despite their great start to the season, head coach Meyer believes the Tigers are "far from where we need to be".

Meyer, who still has internationals Harry Ellis, Dan Hipkiss and Alesana Tuilagi unavailable, said: "The great thing about this competition is that you take the points, stay humble and move on. It is a good sign if you are not playing 100 per cent but can still win.

"I don't like making excuses, it is not part of my make-up, but we have lots of world-class players unfit or injured at the minute. We are still far from where we need to be, but we have won three out of three and we still have lots of great players to come back."

Meyer makes three changes from the side that pipped Worcester 19-17 last Saturday, handing starts to prop Dan Cole, lock Marco Wentzel and flanker Ben Woods.