Ben Vellacott signs

[wasps]

Good news

Does this mean Simmo is off? Or maybe Hampson and Joe stays

[RBB]

Simpson has gone the other way.

[Stang]

Very excited about Vellacott.

Sad to see Simmo go, but feel he actually could do with a new challenge. He was fantastic on his day but sadly isn’t quite anymore.

Vellacott could be better than Dan!

[wasps]

I really hoped he'd be staying.

However, I suspect we do well out of that deal from a salary cap perspective

[Raggs]

Cap will be a mix, Simpson was an academy boy, so we lose out there. I do think Vellacot is the more forward thinking signing, but that said, if Joe can find his old self, then maybe not.

[RBB]

Great signing, surely Joe would have had the move to Coventry hike, I would expect Vellacott to cost a lot less.

[Neils]

Welcome addition but sad to see Joe go. He wrote quite a good article in CovLive today about club attitude so a little surprised.

[mike909]

Good signing. It points towards an interesting season next year with some serious players to hand. And hopefully a fit Jack W and Mr Rieder and perhaps another lump of a second row

This season - no a right off - but need to make the most of the 6Ns period

Does anyone think it would be ok if we were in the second tier of Euro Comp next season? Could be a useful "starter for 10"?

[Heathen]

Very pleased to see Ben Vellacott joining.

In the Dobby mould.

[Chunky24]

Interesting to see the social media response of the other players to Joe's leaving full of positives and best wishes compared to almost complete lack of acknowledgement to most of the others leaving.

[westwaleswasp]

To sum up what I said elsewhere, a fine move for all parties.

Regarding Joe going, anybody who has ever played a sport with selection will empathise with Joe. He has clearly been assigned the second choice 9 role, after a great run of form for Robson and some unfortunately timed injuries, and at his age and with his skill set a move out West was perfectly fair.
I suspect the departure of certain others was less understandable.

[BlackCountryWasp]

A very astute bit of business. Vellacott impressed me for Glos when he played us earlier in the season, likes to play a quick ball and a decent sniper as well, very similar in style to Dobby.

Simmo going to Kingsholm will be good for him, a great servant to the club who's message on social media was heartfelt and sincere. I really hope he does well there.

It looks like a win/win for all involved.

[welsh wasp]

We won the Challenge Cup a few years ago. Did we then win the Heiny Cup the following season?
So Simpson & Cipriani back together.

[RBB]

Joe will be the understudy to Willie Heinz, so at least 2nd choice. Vellacott was 3rd choice. I am not sure he will get that much game time with Cips, depends on the fitness of Heinz.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I'm sad to lose Joe, but sometimes a player and a club just grow apart.