The home of London Wasps has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years, no matter what the fortunes of respective teams by the season’s end.
The Tig well remembers a Heineken Cup win on Wasps soil and a thrilling draw in 2005/06 in a torrential downpour, but there have been precious few highlights since. It is against this background, and with a big list if big names missing that we travel this weekend.
Flicking through the records, the last time we cheered an away win over Wasps was back in September 2007: Defending European champions 17 Defending Premiership champions 20.
Just to look at some of the names involved shows how much water has flowed under the bridge since.
With internationals at the World Cup in France, Wasps included Fraser Waters and Riki Flutey in midfield, Michael Holford and George Skivington in the pack and Danny Cipriani on the bench.
Full-back Johne Murphy kicked a penalty for Tigers, Ollie Smith scored the try and Andy Goode kicked 12 points.
Matt Smith, Boris Stankovich, Jordan Crane and Louis Deacon are among the Tigers survivors from that day, while the Youngs brothers were among the replacements.
Goode, of course, is now on the other side of the fence while another ex-Tiger, Tom Varndell, has enjoyed his share of good days at Adams Park in opposition although he is unfortunately on the sidelines this week.
Any Tiger who manages to break the run at Adams Park will become an even bigger hero. Let's hope we're toasting his honour on Sunday.
