Clark says Saints have to show ‘outstanding’ Wasps respect

BAD DAY - Calum Clark and his Saints team-mates trudge off the pitch after being beaten at Wasps in September

Dai Young’s men head to Franklin’s Gardens on Friday as one of only three teams to have toppled the champions during the current league campaign.

Saints, who had thrashed Gloucester 53-6 on the opening night, were suffocated in the second game of the season, losing 20-16 in High Wycombe.

And Clark is desperate to avoid a repeat this week as his team bid to start a five-game regular season run-in in style.

“It kicks off Friday night and we want to keep pushing on and getting the best out of what we’ve got,” said the flanker.

“At this stage of the season we’re in an okay position, but things can unfold pretty quickly if you don’t respect every team you play.

“Wasps are a team who are top-of-the-table contenders and if they win all their games and we don’t play so well, they could easily get to the top of the league.

“We’ve got to be aware that they’re a top-four contender coming here.

“They’ve been outstanding this year.

“We went down there at the start of the season and didn’t respect them so got turned over.

“They’re more than capable of doing that to top sides and Dai Young’s built a great squad there.

“They’re more than capable of being at the top of the league come the end of the season so they’re as dangerous an opposition as any we’ll face.”