Simon Shaw is hoping bruised Wasps can put the Blues behind them to reach play-offs

No way through: Wasps skipper Tom Rees struggles to break through Bath pair Danny Grewcock and Butch James at Twickenham
10 April 2012

Simon Shaw says London Wasps still have plenty to play for this season despite suffering a heavy defeat against Bath in their Guinness Premiership clash at Twickenham.

Though Wasps took a pounding from their opponents' back row in the 35-19 defeat in front of 60,000 at Headquarters — which saw them drop down to fifth place in the Premiership and out of the play-off positions — Shaw has not ruled out making the top four.

In fact, the 36-year-old lock is hoping a win over Cardiff Blues in Saturday's Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final clash at Adams Park can give his side the perfect boost they need to bounce back from the defeat.

Shaw, who will have intensive treatment on his left ankle after picking up an injury in Saturday's battle, said: "If Bath lose and we win at Newcastle on the final weekend we can still finish in the top four and we are not giving up.

"Our first target is to beat Cardiff Blues and reach the Amlin final and then deal with the Newcastle match.

"Bath hit us on the counter-punch, something we used to do to them on a regular basis and we didn't take the chances that were created.

"Our whole season has been a bit up and down but we have bounced back from worse defeats and I don't see why we can't do it again. Maybe our concentration in defence hasn't been as good as normal because we have been doing so well in attack, scoring pretty tries and we know that Cardiff have fantastic ball carriers and defence will be our priority this week.

"The gain line battle is going to be key and we have to step up and get the job done. However, my ankle is very sore at the moment."

Shaw is not the only Wasps player suffering after the bruising encounter at Twickenham, which saw Bath's Joe Maddock score a hat-trick of tries as they moved into fourth spot.

Wings David Lemi and Tom Varndell limped out of the match while captain Tom Rees was left struggling with a heavily-bandaged left ankle.

But Cardiff have even bigger injury concerns ahead of their clash on Saturday, with controversial No8 Andy Powell ruling himself out after damaging a calf in their 20-14 win over the Dragons while Lions centre Jamie Roberts was forced off with a knee problem.

Scrum-half Richie Rees (ankle) was also injured and Wales centre Tom Shanklin and flanker Robin Sowden Taylor are already out while there are major doubts over prop Gethin Jenkins, veteran flanker Martyn Williams and dangerous centre Casey Laulala.

Meanwhile, Saracens are proving to be the form team as the season reaches a remarkable climax, which has seen Worcester relegated and the news that the Premiership could expand from 12 teams to 14 is of little comfort as that won't happen until at least 2012.

Sarries, who produced an excellent 28-27 win at second-placed Northampton, could still finish second and claim a home game by winning at leaders Leicester in two weeks' time.

But London Irish continued their poor finish a 34-20 loss at Gloucester and Harlequins were also beaten, going down 40-22 at Leicester.

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