It seems likely that the main Marquee will be Lima, with Joe Launchbury likely the second. Both rumoured on £500k/year.
That means Cips is unlikely to be offered more than £300k, and my guess he was offered less than that. The French have an odd tax system that actually encourages incoming sports stars, giving the effect of bumping up the first year salary. At least, I think that is so. A French acquaintance of mine in Toulon says that he could easily net an income 3 times what Wasps have probably offered him. I suspect that soon after Wasps make the official announcement, Cips' future will also be revealed.
Then we would have Sopoaga (the Os are flat and there is an N sound before the G I believe), so Sop as in flop then oaga prounced as owanga, as our #1 10, with Gopps as the #2 and then an academy player (Eastgate or Umaga) as #3. Then Eastmond and Juan de Jongh in the centre, Wade and Daly on the wings (yes, I too think Bassett is off to Saints).
But what about WLR? Will he stay? If so, he may be on less money and not a marquee. Otherwise, we need another FB with Miller at #1 FB. Maybe James would step up to #2 FB?
We already have Shields coming. I suspect (hope) that Carr will come back, and I expect Haskell to be off. We are OK in the second row. I am not sure if we need any front row players, as Academy players come through. Indeed, there are some interesting players who have turned out for our A team recently who might formally come on board.
Always a Wasp