Consistency will be the key for Wasps boss Ian McGeechan in Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash against Saracens at Vicarage Road.

Wasps, masters of a play-off system that saw them win successive Premiership titles between 2003 and 2005, are once again timing their run to perfection.

Seemingly out of the race before Christmas, they have rattled off seven successive league wins, claiming 31 points from a possible 35.

Wasps' remaining four games are against Saracens, Gloucester, Newcastle and Leeds Carnegie, suggesting they could remain unbeaten all the way to next month's semi-finals.

McGeechan said: "With the race for play-off places looking like it will go down to the wire, the challenge is to remain consistent.

"All the teams in contention are playing well, so competition will remain tight in the remaining games, Sunday's being no exception."

Wasps are without England captain Phil Vickery, who has a knee injury suffered during the midweek victory over Sale, but back-row stars Joe Worsley and Lawrence Dallaglio both return.

Saracens, smashed by leaders Gloucester last time out, need a morale-boosting performance ahead of their Heineken Cup semi-final showdown against Munster tomorrow week.

Saracens rugby director Alan Gaffney said: "Wasps have played twice in the past week, but they have had the ability of naming practically two separate forward packs in those games, so fatigue won't be a problem for them.

"They are still the benchmark for teams to aim at, and they come to us on a roll.

"If we go out not fronting up, not being strong in the contact area and not making the right decisions, it will be a very long afternoon.

"But as a coaching staff, we have the faith in our players to deliver.

"The performance against Gloucester wasn't good enough, and we cannot afford a repeat of that.

"It is vital that we get a performance this weekend, as we have some big games coming up. If we don't perform this Sunday then we won't have a chance of doing it a week later."

Despite the Wasps defeat, Sale remain in contention ahead of tomorrow's Edgeley Park clash against an injury-hit Newcastle side that will travel without England trio Jonny Wilkinson, Jamie Noon and Toby Flood.

Falcons rugby director Steve Bates said: "Jonny suffered a bit of a concussion against London Irish last weekend and the medical staff were keen for him to have a rest.

"He hasn't trained this week, and it just makes sense from our point of view not to rush him back when we know we need him 100% fit for our European Challenge Cup semi-final next Friday.

"Likewise, Jamie and Toby, who are both getting a lot better after recent ankle injuries.

"This weekend just came a bit too soon for them, but they are both running around in rehab and we hope to have them back fit next week.

"The quality of opposition means this will be a very tough game and Sale will pose a lot of questions, but it is our players' responsibility to exploit this opportunity.

"I am confident we can create opportunities, and I am expecting guys to step up.

"They won't find it easy against a team like Sale, but selection is still open for next Friday, and if players put their hands up on Sunday, they stand every chance of being in that team for Worcester."

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