CLASHES between Saracens and London Wasps do not normally need any spicing up, but the presence of Raphael Ibanez in the Wasps' line-out gives the match at Twickenham added piquancy.

The France international hooker left Sarries in the summer under a cloud after a fall-out with director of rugby Steve Diamond and he will no doubt be keen to put one over his former team-mates in his first competitive match for his new side.

Indeed his clash with Matt Cairns, the man who kept him out of the side last year, could be one to keep an eye on.

"I'm really looking forward to this game because it's at Twickenham and it's the opening game of the season," said the Frenchman.

"It My departure from Saracens was like a little saga but now that is behind me I can focus on playing with my new team-mates and being ready.

"It's just a rugby game and there will be many of them during the season. I've nothing to prove to Saracens. I have to prove something to myself first. I know I can do better in the Premiership than I have done before.

"This is why I came here because I know the staff can help me. I needed another challenge and moving here to Wasps is the right way to improve my game. What Matt Dawson achieved, moving from Northampton to here, is an example of the way I wanted to go."