Ashley Johnson: Believes Wasps' style of play is exciting

Ashley Johnson believes expectancy levels have increased at Wasps this season - and their results prove it.

After last year's prolonged struggle in the Aviva Premiership, Wasps entertain Gloucester on Sunday after moving into title play-off contention.

And with an Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Leinster on their agenda in early April, the buzz is back at Adams Park.

"We expect more of ourselves now," South African flanker Johnson said. "We have been doing well, but every week you have to improve.

"We know that we are not by any means a complete package. There is loads of stuff that we have to work on, which is a good thing if you are still winning but can see where you need to get better.

"The way we play our rugby is exciting. We give guys opportunities to express themselves and, alongside the experienced heads, we have some really talented individuals here who can do some remarkable things."

Wasps, conquerors of Premiership champions Harlequins last weekend, host a Gloucester side two points and one place behind them, and rugby director David Yonung expects a stern test.

"We played Gloucester down at Kingsholm and lost in September, and while I would like to think we are a much better side now, they have definitely improved as well," he said.

"Stats-wise, they have the best scrum in the league, both on their ball and on opposition ball. And they have a good lineout too, so they are going to try and take us on physically.

"We need to match that up-front before we can think about anything else, and we recognise what a huge challenge this fixture is."

Italy international Andrea Masi returns to the Wasps midfield following RBS 6 Nations commitments over the last two weekends, while Stephen Jones replaces former Gloucester fly-half Nicky Robinson.

Gloucester, meanwhile, are unchanged following an impressive win at Northampton last time out, although their bench is reinforced by Scotland lock Jim Hamilton being back from Six Nations duty.

"The players delivered at Northampton and we were pleased," Gloucester rugby director Nigel Davies said.

"But that was one of four big games in this block of rugby, and we've refocused straight away.

"Wasps are a very good team. They've crept up from nowhere, really, in some respects. They're playing some really good rugby, they have some threats in their team and they work hard for each other.

"It's another big challenge, but we are in a good place to meet that challenge and we are looking forward to it."

Bottom club Sale Sharks make the trip to Oxford tomorrow where London Welsh, two places and six points above them, await.

Sale's victory over Exeter eight days ago gave them renewed hope of avoiding the drop, and they know that a repeat performance at the Kassam Stadium would drag Welsh firmly into the relegation mix.

But the Premiership newcomers have already toppled Sale this term, winning 29-19 in September, and they will look for fit-again Wales international Gavin Henson to pull the strings from fly-half, where he will be in direct opposition to Danny Cipriani.

"The boys are really looking forward to Sunday's game - there has been a really good atmosphere all week in training," London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones said.

"It is an opportunity for us to try and close the gap on Worcester in the table, but there is still a very long way to go in the season after the Sale game.

"Even though we lost to Leicester last weekend, we were pleased with many aspects of our game. Boys are improving and adapting to the pace of the Premiership - we are making good progress."