Dylan Leyds

[BG]

Well its seems certain he's leaving the Stormers (from the article), the question is if he is coming to us then why hasn't it been announced or are Saffa agents learning the tricks of the trade that we see played out in PRL player dealings?

Maybe he has to wait until after he's played his last game for them?

10 out of 10 for finding the article though

[Neils]

Last game last weekend. They went out. May be linked to the SA WC squad announcement.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that getting the visa required to come and play here (for them and their families) has become a lot harder and takes much longer. That could be the issue.

[Trevs Big Tackle]

Don't South Africans count as European or am I misunderstanding Kolpak?

edit: From the Wikipedia page for Kolpak Cricketers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kolpak_cricketers

"However, the British Home Office stipulates that a player must have a valid work permit for four years or must have a specified number of appearances in international cricket to sign a Kolpak deal."

So he'll still need a work permit, assuming he doesn't have the caps (if the Home Office apply the same rules to rugby as cricket).

[Rory87]

Would absolutely welcome him if this does get confirmed.

However, that would give us 8 back three players in the Snr Squad (not including the likes of Gopperth or others that can 'do a job at FB')

Dai certainly will be challenged with squad rotation... mind you, a much better problem to have than the injury crisis this season!

[BG]

Is he in contention for the SA WC squad?

[Neils]

Is he in contention for the SA WC squad?

Who knows? However he has been picked in the past and has been quite good.this season.

[HDAWG]

Hate to perform blind optimism, but from the original list mentioning Leyds, all those players have been confirmed except for Leyds and Jacques Vermeulen.

Just last week the same source that mentioned Leyds again mentioned Jacques Vermeulen going to Exeter.

So is this source just saying what Sport24 already stated or does this have some weight? And because another player on the list (that has been accurate so far) is being mentioned again more recently, does that mean Leyds is still a possibility? They may join their respective teams part way through this season coming up, for example. Didn't Le Roux do that during 2016/17?

[westwaleswasp]

MM and RM is a pretty decent one two shout at fifteen, before we even consider others. With our unexpected bonus aqusition in the wing slot after Newcastle got relegatex I would be surprised if this signing now happened.....

[Chilham]

I see Minozzi played 12 for Italy today.  Anyone know how he went?

[BG]

I recorded it but gave up after 10 mins. I think he was a very late change to the starting 15 hence playing 12. I knew he was playing and wondered why I couldn't see him at 15 ? Now I know why.

Thought I'd try Vesps spoiler coding thingy

Auz V NZ

Spoiler

Very interesting and surprising score. I didn't watch it but just read a online report. Interestingly the frrench ref interpretated an incident probably differently to how a SH ref, leading to a player being sent off. Just in case I've done it wrong I won't put the result in

[Chunky24]

I see Minozzi played 12 for Italy today.  Anyone know how he went?

Came in as last minute injury replacement, He didn't really get any attacking ball, did look sharp winning chase back for a kick over the top in defence, seemed ok when he came off around half time but had heavy strapping on leg still.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

He took a heavy knock to his leg maybe five minutes in. I didn't see anything attacking wise, but seemed to be solid in defence. The game was quite boring for most of the match.

[RBB]

I am pretty sure that I read somewhere that Leyds is staying with the Stormers, but I can't find the said article. The article alluded to the fact he wanted to remain with the franchise, as they had revised their coaching set up, and the money being offered by Wasps wasn't materially more than he would get at the Stormers.

However, I can't find the article so this comment is without provenance.

[BG]

I'm wondering whether the rumour was started (by himself or his agent) to improve his negotiating position with the Stormers.

Given how early the anouncement of Minozzi's move was.. and then the subsequent other wingers from Sale, Newcastle and the academy (which all takes months and months to sort out) makes me think that this signing wasn't even on Wasps radar.

I think Dai has made and announced all his signings. I think Dai and his management team have done a really good job within constraints that we're not privvy to.

We have some overseas stardust arriving, we have some up and coming young EPL talent being offered a new platform to test themselves within and some young club developed talent that will be hungry to repay the trust shown in them.