WASPS did the double last season but director of rugby Warren Gatland wants his side to step up this year.

The Wasps coach reckons it will be even harder to hold onto the Zurich Premiership crown than it was to win it and he has urged his side to go all-out from the word go, starting tomorrow with their league opener against Harlequins (ko2.45pm).

Gatland is also concerned that five of Wasps' team will be away on World Cup duty at the start and called on his young squad to rise to the occasion.

He said: "We're going to be reasonably well hit with players away.

"It's an opportunity for the younger members to step up and stake a claim for now and for the future as well.

"We targeted that as a young side, we need to get out of the blocks firing so that when the players come back from the World Cup, we're in pretty good shape.

"We've worked pretty hard in pre-season and Harlequins is going to be a huge start for us, particularly as we feel we need to start really well.

Gatland is particulalry concerned over the loss of his skipper.

Lawrence Dallaglio is not only Wasps' best player but a talisman and Wasps have often failed to perform when he has not played., Gatland said: "It's something we're definitely aware of.

"There were a couple of occasions last season, like Leeds away, where we showed a lot of character. Leeds at home, we had it in the bag and only came away with a draw.

"When Lawrence hasn't played, the others have needed to step up to the mark and it's going to be no different in the next three months.

"We've got a number of senior players at the club and they need to make sure things happen.

"There are a lot of things that come with being around for a while and experience and it's something we're addressing.

And stand-in skipper Rob Howley reckons the team can do without Dallaglio "In every club, there's a senior players forum and a majority of our senior players will be at the World Cup.

"But those not going to the World Cup, the likes of myself and Craig Dowd, need to step up and I think that will make Wasps a much better side for when we get the England boys back."

Meanwhile, Dallaglio himself believes his charges are ready to cope without him.

He said: "Leadership's important and many of our players developed the ability to take responsibility and I'm sure that will continue this season."

But Wasps will be tested fully tomorrow in their grudge match with Harlequins.

Quins were the only team last season that Wasps played and didn't beat and Wasps will be wanting revenge over their rivals.