Lock cover - Sebastian de Chaves

[MarleyWasp]

Wasps sign Sebastian de Chaves
DATE: 15 SEP 2021

Wasps are delighted to announce the signing of Sebastian de Chaves, who will join the Club on a short-term deal from Major League Rugby side Austin Gilgronis.

The 30-year-old lock has five seasons of Premiership experience with Leicester Tigers, London Irish and Newcastle Falcons.

The 6ft 6in South African started out with the Golden Lions, before moving to France to play with Mont de Marsan in the Top 14 in 2012.

The 120kg forward represented South Africa Under 20s in the 2010 Junior World Championship, but he is also qualified to play for England and Portugal.

De Chaves will provide cover in the second row whilst Joe Launchbury, James Gaskell and Theo Vukasinovic recover from their respective injuries.

Wasps Men’s Head Coach Lee Blackett said: “We are delighted to add Seb to our group. He will provide vital cover for us in the second row, while we are without Joe, Jammer and Theo.

“Seb is an experienced lock, who has played over 50 games in the Premiership. He will bring a lot to our lineout, and we are excited to start working with him.”

De Chaves added: “I am delighted to get the opportunity to come back and play in the Gallagher Premiership.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Major League Rugby, but this was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.

“Wasps play an exciting brand of rugby and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

[matelot22]

Does he cover 10 and 12 too?

[JonnyD]

Decent signing for the short term given the circumstances. Wonder if this is until Xmas.

Wonder if Giteau fancies a short term deal from America too

[Steve from Cov]

Smart piece of business. Welcome Sebastian.

[Neils]

Watched him play - no slouch. Interesting addition.

[Rossm]

From Bobby Bridge:

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/sebastian-de-chaves-wasps-rugby-21578145

[mike909]

Alongside Stooke, that provides an experienced and very strong engine room of the sort that ought to allow our excellence in backrow to flourish and provide the base of scrum power.

Good business,

[Heathen]

Happy with that!

[Rossm]

I hope that Fifita gets to play mostly at 6. I think he will excel there for us.

[Shugs]

De Chaves, Stooke, Fifita, Carr, Hislop, Scholtz. Blackett making good on his "power up" promise.

[HDAWG]

I hope that Fifita gets to play mostly at 6. I think he will excel there for us.

I'm inclined to agree, I'm guessing it would mean heavy rotation of the back row. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing given our depth there.

[InBetweenWasp]

Think we'll use Fifita flexibly. 

Where we need a big pack to complete, I think we'll see him at 6 with Shields at 8 and Jack when fit again at 7 or Nemo initially. 

Where we're looking at a bit more of a running/attacking game I think we'll see him slotting in the second row alongside Stooke or Launch or covering multiple positions from the bench.

It's funny, i'm not sure he'd be our first choice 6 (above Jack/Shields) or a first choice lock.  But it's nice to have options to be flexible in our approach and that I feel this way about him despite his obvious talent and capabilities makes me excited for our ability to navigate injuries and internationals and remain competitives.

Stooke, Fifita and Nemo will make a significant difference to our ability to match teams physically.