WASPS will be forced to play players out of position at Rovigo on Saturday because of a second-row crisis.

Marco Wentzel is the only fit second row left in the squad, meaning Dai Young will have to think outside the box when picking his team.

He said: “We’ve got one second row left. Richard Birkett is out with his elbow and his knee, so we’ve only got Marco Wentzel available.

“We put our squad in for this competition in September and you’re only allowed one change.

“We made that with Ed O’Donoghue, who has subsequently got injured as well, so one of the back row will have to step up and play second row.

“We’re looking at Joe Burton or Sam Jones. I wouldn’t have thought they’ve played in the second row before, but you can’t go out there with 14 players can you.”

James Cannon, Ross Filipo, Joe Launchbury and Birkett were all listed in Wasps’ European squad but all are now injured.

Simon Shaw was also named in their European squad on the understanding that he was coming back to the club.