Always a Wasp

General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Neils on January 17, 2021, 07:56:00 AM

Title: TRP
Post by: Neils on January 17, 2021, 07:56:00 AM
Apart from giving the EAs promotion without playing a game we have -
Vellacott to Edinburgh which makes sense as he is Scottish qualified.
In return we get/pick up Elliot Miller Mills from Ealing - a prop.
Nice interview with Gaskell. He has 18 months to run and is very happy to stay. Enjoying his rugby and the team.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Neils on January 17, 2021, 08:00:37 AM
Also interview with Florence Williams of Wasps Ladies. Interesting.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Chunky24 on January 17, 2021, 08:18:42 AM
Bobby's round up of news here including Odogwu signing extension.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/rugby-rumours-and-transfer-news-19641630.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: andermt on January 17, 2021, 08:22:45 AM
I did laugh at the story that Kelly Brown may be on his way back to Sarries, his family haven’t settled north of the border and and want to move back to St Albans, where they still have a house.
Of course they do. 😂
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Neils on January 17, 2021, 08:23:49 AM
I did laugh at the story that Kelly Brown may be on his way back to Sarries, his family haven’t settled north of the border and and want to move back to St Albans, where they still have a house.
Of course they do. 😂

Paid by who? 😀
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Chunky24 on January 17, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
So a LH Hislop and TH Millar-mills would make sense to fill in one of each leaving (ZZ and Brookes?) and very much fits the development ethos of Lee, even though the 2 potential new props are only relatively young in propping years not actual years!
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: MarleyWasp on January 17, 2021, 08:36:59 AM
Miller-Mills's sister is Harriet, who plays for Wasps Ladies and England. I would expect him to be the replacement for Owlett rather than Brookes.

Ben's mother is Scottish and he played age group Rugby for Scotland. I'd be disappointed if he left but the move hasn't really worked out for him and with a great chance of playing international Rugby I can see the appeal of Edinburgh.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: HDAWG on January 17, 2021, 09:00:10 AM
Since Vellacott might be leaving, perhaps we'll promote a scrum half from the academy (assuming we have a scrum half in the academy) or he'll be called up if we have injuries.

It's interesting that we're focusing on smaller signings, not big budget signings. The only player we were briefly linked to that would be particularly expensive was Cordero. Since then we've not been (reliably) linked with many established players.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: wasps on January 17, 2021, 09:19:28 AM


So I sit here seeing all these prop rumours and think that this is what happens when you have a front row forward as a head coach replaced by a back.

There aren't many THPs out there who can provide as stable a platform as Brookes... And replacing him with a young or inexperienced prop just isn't going to cut it



However, with salary reductions required to meet a decreasing cap, then I suppose something has to give.
I just wish it wasn't in our front row.

But if we're losing Vellacott, ZZ and Brookes, hopefully that means few other compromises
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: NellyWellyWaspy on January 17, 2021, 09:30:54 AM
In our Academy, at Uni right now (might be his second year, or maybe first year), is Ollie Monye (yes, THAT family). A scrum half, and, in the games I have seen, very good. I only saw him as a schoolboy then, so he was relatively slight, but, no doubt will bulk a little in his late teens.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Steve from Cov on January 17, 2021, 10:40:56 AM
Shame about Ben Velacott.

I was excited when he signed and thought he would be pushing Dan all the way - and would be first choice when Dan was on international duties.

Ben needs game time to get back to where he was before his injury.

I’m not sure it makes sense to have Dan and 3 other very capable 9’s.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: wasps on January 17, 2021, 11:08:02 AM
In our Academy, at Uni right now (might be his second year, or maybe first year), is Ollie Monye (yes, THAT family). A scrum half, and, in the games I have seen, very good. I only saw him as a schoolboy then, so he was relatively slight, but, no doubt will bulk a little in his late teens.

What relation to Ugo is he?
Surprised that he wouldn't have signed for Quins if he was related.
I assume it's not his son otherwise he'd likely be London based
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Shugs on January 17, 2021, 11:17:25 AM
If Owlett and Brookes go we'll need two TH's. It's slowly becoming clear that our front row is going to be going through material change. Most of it is probably unavoidable but it makes the JTA situation more critical.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: NorthYorksWasp on January 17, 2021, 11:28:14 AM
Slight change of subject, still TRP. Anybody read the article (page 18) about Will Taylor, formerly of this parish. Is the photo printed with the article a pic of Phil Swainston not Will Taylor? Wasn’t that the shot taken, can’t remember the match, when we had scored to win the game and Phil gave it the ‘gorilla roar’ bit stood on the touchline?
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: hookender on January 17, 2021, 11:29:58 AM
Phil swainston
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: DGP Wasp on January 17, 2021, 11:31:37 AM
Slight change of subject, still TRP. Anybody read the article (page 18) about Will Taylor, formerly of this parish. Is the photo printed with the article a pic of Phil Swainston not Will Taylor? Wasn’t that the shot taken, can’t remember the match, when we had scored to win the game and Phil gave it the ‘gorilla roar’ bit stood on the touchline?

Saw that and thought the same.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: WonkyWasp on January 17, 2021, 12:05:22 PM
Me too; I think we were at the match.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: wasps on January 17, 2021, 12:35:21 PM
Phil Swainston.... Legend...
If only for the scrum penalty against Leicester (against Mulipola?)

And more importantly, the victory dance
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: NellyWellyWaspy on January 17, 2021, 02:32:08 PM
In our Academy, at Uni right now (might be his second year, or maybe first year), is Ollie Monye (yes, THAT family). A scrum half, and, in the games I have seen, very good. I only saw him as a schoolboy then, so he was relatively slight, but, no doubt will bulk a little in his late teens.

What relation to Ugo is he?
Surprised that he wouldn't have signed for Quins if he was related.
I assume it's not his son otherwise he'd likely be London based

He is his nephew. Ollie went to Oratory School in Reading. I think he is in his first year at Uni, but I guess will be studying from home, as they all are. He has a uni contract with Wasps.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Shugs on January 17, 2021, 03:18:32 PM
If it's our choice I'm surprised we're letting Vellacott go. Personally I still think Porter and Wolstenholme have a long way to go whereas BV sits somewhere between Robson and them. We'll be without Robson for a while with internationals and for me Vellacott would have filled that gap.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: HDAWG on January 17, 2021, 03:54:58 PM
If it's our choice I'm surprised we're letting Vellacott go. Personally I still think Porter and Wolstenholme have a long way to go whereas BV sits somewhere between Robson and them. We'll be without Robson for a while with internationals and for me Vellacott would have filled that gap.

This would all be correct. Except, Vellacott hasn't ever hit the form we anticipated. Granted Injury didn't help things, but since he's been given opportunities alongside Wolstenholme and Porter, Vellacott is the only one who hasn't impressed me. I'd argue they show more potential than Vellacott. Plus he's a lot more expensive.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Raggs on January 17, 2021, 04:00:19 PM
Due to lack of opportunities, he's only shown as much as the other 2. If anything, Porter has looked the better of the two. Unfortunately, we can only go off what we've seen, as can the coaches. If they feel Porter and Wols can do the job as well, along with some form of 4th choice, Vellacott is an expensive player to keep on.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Shugs on January 17, 2021, 05:15:36 PM
I don't think Porter and Wolstenholme have been as good as Vellacott. They are both great prospects. But I thought the Gloucester and Sale games were microcosms of where they both are. Which is still with a lot of knowhow and execution to go. That will come. But it's not there yet and making them basically first choice at international time is throwing them in at the deep end to get the experience they need. I like Porters attitude to the game though.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: BG on January 17, 2021, 06:18:30 PM
In motorsport .. everyone looks at the person at the track doing fast laps .. they are the fastest person but there is someone else who's probably stacking bottles at that track who, given the chance, will have a better pace, but has never been given the opportunity.

Porter and Wolstie have grabbed every opportunity and haven't let Wasps down
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Neils on January 17, 2021, 06:35:37 PM
The problem with Vellacott is that he was outstanding at the Donkeys playing SH and on the Wing. He looked a great signing but ended up badly damaged at the beginning of the season. Wolstenholme took his chance and really didn't let us down. Late on Porter came up and again didn't disgrace himself. Vellacott has found few chances to showcase himself and unfortunately when he did he seemed slower somehow. He is of the age that he needs a "re-boot". Shame but needs must from his point of view.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Shugs on January 17, 2021, 06:50:19 PM
I'm not saying they let us down, just that they aren't as good as Vellacott - in my opinion. For me Wolstenholme struggled in the Glaws game as did Porter v Sale. Of course I wouldn't judge them on that micro sample but I just don't think they are ready. Great for depth and will probably end up being better than BV with experience.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Bloke in North Dorset on January 17, 2021, 07:22:02 PM
De we know if Vellacott even wants to stay? It hasn't been a happy move so far and he must be looking over his should at what's coming through and wondering how much game time he's going to get.

If he wants to go to get  more game time no amount of money will keep him, nor should it. He should go with everyone's best wishes.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Peej on January 18, 2021, 09:15:24 AM
If we are losing Brookes, and you can't blame him for a bit of a sun and cash, then we need to invest what is quite a big wedge in a established, scrummaging prop.

I wonder how effectively we brought the team lower under the cap with the salary renegotiations?
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Peej on January 18, 2021, 09:25:54 AM
Oh, and who is Hislop?
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Chunky24 on January 18, 2021, 09:28:54 AM
Oh, and who is Hislop?

Doncaster Knights loosehead, had some time on load at Saracens last season.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Neils on January 18, 2021, 09:30:16 AM
Mentioned in TRP thread last week (week past sunday). From memory a prop at Doncaster who played for the EAs temporarily.
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Peej on January 18, 2021, 09:59:45 AM
Much obliged!
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: DGP Wasp on January 18, 2021, 12:11:23 PM
Don't panic, it's not Ian!
Title: Re: TRP
Post by: Rifleman Harris on January 18, 2021, 01:43:42 PM
Shaka? He was a good forward in his time, but possibly no longer 'up and coming?'