TRP

[JonnyD]

I was actually watching the Newcastle game last week thinking H-W would be a good signing.

We need three FHs and If we continue to play Jacob at 15 we run the risk of both him and Charlie being injured at the same time and not having another specialist 10. Miller was good recently but has looked well off the pace this year and cannot go on forever.
H-W (despite his bad slice) the other day played very well, will have to pay attention to him a little more but potentially a little more tactical and conservative in his play than Jacob but still with some nice touches, could complement Charlie very well.

[backdoc]

Very fast as well, as his interception against Exeter showed.

[hopwood]

Very excited about this signing.

He may still be quite young, but he looks a real prospect. And age doesn’t always determine quality and capability.
Strength of mind is the main factor…and I’m hoping our coaching team have done their research and plucked a good one.

[JonnyD]

Very fast as well, as his interception against Exeter showed.

Just saw this on YouTube actually and if that’s Josh Hodge in the 15 shirt, WH-W is indeed very quick

[JWasp]

Anyone know what his kicking is like?

I know it doesn’t have to be the fly half in this role but feel like that is something we will be missing without Jimmy next season.

[Rugbyintheblood]

Great signing. It’s funny I was so impressed when I watched him play for Newcastle that I actually googled to see what nationality he was.

Played for England U20, so he’s a known talent.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Or another young talent that doesn't make the final grade?

[Jac A]

Anyone know what his kicking is like?

I know it doesn’t have to be the fly half in this role but feel like that is something we will be missing without Jimmy next season.

Numbers-wise it's pretty good: this season he's got a 76% success rate (higher than Jimmy, George Ford, Marcus Smith, Joe Simmonds and AJ MacGinty)

This is the first season he's had much of an opportunity though.

Kicking from hand has been so so from what I have seen but admittedly I watch less of Newcastle than most teams.

[Hymenoptera]

Unless Charlie or Umaga is leaving, I hate this signing..what's the need it's filling.

It's not a balance signing, it won't impart knowledge or experience to our existing 10's, it serves no purpose. Every side has a settled 10, seems we aren;t going down that route with Charlie or Umaga then.
On the kid himself, he's ok, he's good enough but nothing special and no one called him out having played us as a wow, what a player. In fact Conor is the first pick but has been injured.
We don't need a 10, we have Umaga, Atkinson, Miller, Mills and Crossdale has played there.
We need to invest in what we have instead on bringing in the same. Are we now saying Atkinson, who is better from what I have seen, isn't investible? He's having a so so season but wont be worse for getting it on the books.
I don't see this as an area that needs strengthening, def isn't a priority and def not by this type of signing. We have other area's to solve like 12, where we have signed a bang average Saffa and have a semi retired player in Mills. How about a quality 15? Crossdale has been ok when he's played, which is hardly at all, but he's error prone...there are so many other priorities, i just don't get it, although I'm not surprised by this given the clowns that are running the show at the moment.

[Shugs]

Blackett obviously fancies Umaga at 15. That leaves us with Atkinson and some part time cover at 10. On that basis it makes perfect sense. Recruitment wise I don’t think you can argue we’ve not done really well in the last couple of seasons. As for the “bang average Saffa” we’ll see. The guy hasn’t pulled a Wasps jersey on yet.

[Rossm]

Blackett obviously fancies Umaga at 15. That leaves us with Atkinson and some part time cover at 10. On that basis it makes perfect sense. Recruitment wise I don’t think you can argue we’ve not done really well in the last couple of seasons. As for the “bang average Saffa” we’ll see. The guy hasn’t pulled a Wasps jersey on yet.

Yes. Some posters always like to get their retaliation in first.

[DGP Wasp]

Surely a young, inexperienced fly half is exactly the sort of fly half that we should not be looking to sign?

Agreed. Shorter and lighter than either Charlie or Jacob.

Marcus Smith is shorter, lighter and younger than Jacob.  So presumably you wouldn't want him either?
Not sure what his height and weight has to do with anything.  I'm more interested in ability.

(Can't actually find height and weight for Atkinson, not on his bio on the offy.)

[Steve from Cov]

Unless Charlie or Umaga is leaving, I hate this signing..what's the need it's filling.

It's not a balance signing, it won't impart knowledge or experience to our existing 10's, it serves no purpose. Every side has a settled 10, seems we aren;t going down that route with Charlie or Umaga then.
On the kid himself, he's ok, he's good enough but nothing special and no one called him out having played us as a wow, what a player. In fact Conor is the first pick but has been injured.
We don't need a 10, we have Umaga, Atkinson, Miller, Mills and Crossdale has played there.
We need to invest in what we have instead on bringing in the same. Are we now saying Atkinson, who is better from what I have seen, isn't investible? He's having a so so season but wont be worse for getting it on the books.
I don't see this as an area that needs strengthening, def isn't a priority and def not by this type of signing. We have other area's to solve like 12, where we have signed a bang average Saffa and have a semi retired player in Mills. How about a quality 15? Crossdale has been ok when he's played, which is hardly at all, but he's error prone...there are so many other priorities, i just don't get it, although I'm not surprised by this given the clowns that are running the show at the moment.

Ridiculous.

[baldpaul101]

Was this the same “bang average Saffa” that was player of the match last week?

[mike909]

Blackett obviously fancies Umaga at 15. That leaves us with Atkinson and some part time cover at 10. On that basis it makes perfect sense. Recruitment wise I don’t think you can argue we’ve not done really well in the last couple of seasons. As for the “bang average Saffa” we’ll see. The guy hasn’t pulled a Wasps jersey on yet.

I believe we'd be on the same page here.