“The improvement in the pack has been the main factor, as a scrum half, and with the conditions in the last few weeks we’ve been forced to play a more forward-oriented game. They have really fronted up and played well, so it makes my job much easier.

“Confidence-wise the pack are starting to believe in themselves more, and while the backs have scored most of the tries, anyone watching will know it’s the forwards who have won those matches.

“It’s a very noticeable change in attitude really. They now go in to games not just believing that they’re going to try and hold their own, but that they’re going to try and steamroller the opposition.

“Clearly Wasps are an excellent team, so we’re not expecting an easy ride on Sunday, but we have a pack and a team now which is definitely capable of competing with them and pushing them all the way.”

Grindal is also benefiting from an extended run in the side due to the medial knee ligament injury picked up by Hall Charlton in the win at Borders back in October, stating: “It’s good to be playing consistently.

“At the start of the season I didn’t get much of a look-in because Jackie [Charlton] was playing well, but rather than show my frustration in a negative way I just knuckled down in training and played a few games for the Development Team, trying to stay sharp and focused.

“I knew I would get a chance at some point, unfortunately through injury to Jackie in this case, but I’ve taken it with both hands.

“It’s the same with any player, it takes a couple of games to get fully in to your stride, and if you’re consistently playing then your form is going to improve.

“My season effectively started seven or eight weeks later than a lot of the players, just because Jackie was holding down the No.9 shirt, but now that I have much more confidence, match sharpness and game fitness it’s all come together.”

Weighing up the challenges ahead of Sunday’s match, Grindal believes that the whole package will have to be put together on the day if they are to get any change from the three-time Premiership champions.

“We need to play an all-round game, and that includes involving the forwards, getting them hitting the ball up, running angles off me and then spreading it wide quickly when we get the chance,” he said.

“The weather conditions this weekend won’t be anything like the rain, wind and cold we had up here when we played them in November, but we know they are an extremely physical team and will be a massive test for us in every area.

“That game was the one that started our winning run off, and naturally we want to keep it going.

“Wasps and Sale are undoubtedly the form sides in the league at the moment, and Wasps’ key players all seem to be hitting form in the last few matches, so we know the size of the challenge in front of us even if we’re not daunted by it.”

And with an eye on his own personal duels with Wasps scrum halves Eoin redden and Matt Dawson, Grindal said: “Reddan played the game up here in November and has started most of their recent matches, but if Dawson plays then our forwards will have to watch for him around the fringes where he likes to have a go.

“He’ll probably admit he’s not as sharp as he used to be, but he’s a very fiery customer and all-round I would still put him in the top two scrum halves in the Premiership, for sure.

“It’s a big test for me and I’ll have to be on the ball, but as a professional player that’s a motivating factor, and not intimidating. It’s what you play the game for.”