Melville wants 'huge improvement'

Wasps boss Nigel Melville has warned his players that he expects "a massive improvement" when the Londoners tackle European champions Northampton at Loftus Road.  

After stringing together four successive Premiership victories, Wasps were demolished 59-21 by a rampant Newcastle side last Saturday.

Captain Lawrence Dallaglio vented his feelings in a blunt post-match television interview and Melville concedes that Wasps let themselves down.

"It was a terrible result and a very poor performance," he said.

"I've told the players that respect is built as you move forward, but a performance like that means you lose respect.

"It was down to basic errors of continuity, turnovers and handling, but our greatest problem was one-off tackling. I was disappointed with our defence.

"I would expect there to be a massive improvement on Sunday - the players have admitted their performance simply wasn't good enough."

Wasps welcome back England international Alex King from injury for his first start of the campaign - Matt Leek drops out - and fit-again centre Rob Henderson replaces Fraser Waters.

Northampton, who launch their defence of the Heineken Cup in Biarritz next Saturday, plan late fitness tests on fly-half Paul Grayson (knee) and lock Olivier Brouzet (neck).

Both Tim Rodber and Matt Allen are back in the squad following recent fitness problems though and Saints will seek a morale-boosting away win after suffering defeats on the road this season against Newcastle, Leicester and Sale.