De Jongh signing announced

[Vespula Vulgaris]

http://wasps.co.uk/news/article/2017/05/30/wasps-sign-springbok-centre-juan-de-jongh

[NellyWellyWaspy]

As predicted by Fissler months ago I think. de Yongh still has 2 months of games to play before his contract is done. I hope it is not too expensive (i.e. sub £300k) and for 2 or 3 years.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I suspect he won't be expensive.  He was serious quality for a while, but his MCL injury took a big toll on his form.  I'd like to think that being a friend of Smashley's he's not coming for a quick buck, but to be part of a settled squad.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Indeed.

I have no idea how true it is, but I have heard mutterings that both Cips and Robson were offered contract extensions and turned them down. They would have been for 2017-18 onwards. Both rumoured to have seen the writing on the wall (no more chance of International call up) and been offered big money contracts in France.

If true, I wonder how Dai will react? In the main, where he 'knows', then the player gets less game time, usually becoming #3 on the list for their position. Who would then become the #2 scrum half? Craig Hampson I guess. JG moves to #1 for 10, with who as #2? Umaga or Eastwood? BTW, why is Umaga still shown in Tiger's colours on the offy portrait of him?

So, does signing a new 12 (JdeJ) now make more sense? I know he is officially 'replacing' our leavers. But we didn't really need another 12. Unless JG isn't playing there. And you wouldn't leave JG out of the team, so he must be going to be #1 10. JG signed his contract extension.

Conjecture. Let's wait for the first few games and see what happens.

[Brandnewtorugby]

Jimmy Gopperth is 34, wonder how much longer he wants to play for?

[NellyWellyWaspy]

My guess is 2 years, to allow him to work alongside someone like Umaga and get him up to Prem level strength and weight. I can see him staying on as a backs coach.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I too have heard talk of a shock departure, with both Cips and Robson being mentioned.

I'd  be sad to see them go, I think they both have great qualities, and whilst I can see that Cips might want to take the big money as he's unlikely to get back into the England set-up I'd be surprised if Robson felt the same way.  But the only way to find out is to wait and see I guess.

[Raggs]

Cips I could understand. Robson just doesn't make sense to me with regards to France.  He's still very young, and by the time his contract is out, Eddie will only have 1 more year as england coach.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I'd be very surprised to see Robson go too, but he hasn't been with us for long, and despite his obvious success if something isnt gelling for him at the club we wouldn't necessarily know about it until he left.

Not that I think that's likely though.