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1
Wasps Rugby Discussion / England 6 nations squad
« on: January 17, 2024, 10:23:20 AM »
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (capt), Joe Heyes, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler, Beno Obano, Tom Pearson, Ethan Roots, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill.
Backs: Oscar Beard, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward.
Nice to see a few new faces but, no Alfie is a surprise. Think its a bit early for Feyi-Waboso IMO. is Dan Cole really the best option?
Plenty of talking points but the key things for me are:
1. How many of the new faces will actually play?
2. Will the game plan be adjusted so those exciting players can show what they can do rather than just chasing George Ford spiral bombs all game?
Backs: Oscar Beard, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward.
Nice to see a few new faces but, no Alfie is a surprise. Think its a bit early for Feyi-Waboso IMO. is Dan Cole really the best option?
Plenty of talking points but the key things for me are:
1. How many of the new faces will actually play?
2. Will the game plan be adjusted so those exciting players can show what they can do rather than just chasing George Ford spiral bombs all game?
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Prem Cup
« on: September 13, 2023, 01:26:30 PM »
*** for those who arent interested in Professional Rugby anymore, don't bother reading any further***
First weekend of the revamped Prem Cup. For me it shows promise. Most Prem teams played the game & put out sides full of youngsters & new players. Exeter being the notable exception beating Bristol 75 - nil! Baxter showing his real colours I guess...
Highlights were Coventry beating Sarries & Ealing beating Saints. The Ealing game was televised by TNT & they did a reasonable job of showcasing the non prem club and the competition.
The Champ clubs that were hosting must have had some decent gates to help their finances.
Will be interesting to see how this develops & what the Championship club owners think. If successful it may help frame the much whispered about "Prem 2"
First weekend of the revamped Prem Cup. For me it shows promise. Most Prem teams played the game & put out sides full of youngsters & new players. Exeter being the notable exception beating Bristol 75 - nil! Baxter showing his real colours I guess...
Highlights were Coventry beating Sarries & Ealing beating Saints. The Ealing game was televised by TNT & they did a reasonable job of showcasing the non prem club and the competition.
The Champ clubs that were hosting must have had some decent gates to help their finances.
Will be interesting to see how this develops & what the Championship club owners think. If successful it may help frame the much whispered about "Prem 2"
3
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Details of London Irish collapse
« on: July 17, 2023, 10:19:41 AM »
Don't really want to create another thread for people to post endless RFU/PRL rantings but reading the below copied form LI's message board I think its inevitable:
This is taken apparently from PowerDays accounts statement:
"This hugely disappointing event was the culmination of over 18 months of work spent looking to secure a buyer for the Club (which was offered for ?1 to a buyer willing to fund the club for the next 5 years), and continue the legacy started by Powerday and the Crossan family over a decade ago. The group had a number of interested parties and were successful in taking two such parties to final contract stage. Regrettably the first party withdrew after getting cold feet in June 2022 - citing the impact of the Ukrainian war on their own business.
More recently in the 7 months prior to administration the group engaged in a huge amount of work, carried out closely with the RFU, PRL and representatives of NUE Equity (an LA Based Fund), to complete a widely publicised deal to acquire the club. Negotiations became very challenging when Brentford advised of their intention to give notice on our tenure at Brentford. The negotiations became more challenging still when the RFU Financial Viability Group governing Body decided to issue public ultimatums to both Powerday and the potential purchasers to complete the transaction within an unrealistic timeline. We suspect that this very public outing of our potential buyers created a nervousness amongst our American investors ultimately leading to deal failure. This was further compounded by HMRC's decision to issue a winding up order against London Irish Rugby Club.
The reality is that professional rugby in this country is going through a hugely challenging time and, as we know, many clubs are sadly still struggling to return to a stable path following the pandemic. After a decade of supporting the club financially, it is not feasible for Powerday to continue absorbing indefinitely the multi-million-pound losses of the club each year.
In the Board's view, the professional game in this country needs to be radically transformed, and the current leadership must urgently review its practices from top to bottom if it has a desire to see professional rugby continue in England."
This is taken apparently from PowerDays accounts statement:
"This hugely disappointing event was the culmination of over 18 months of work spent looking to secure a buyer for the Club (which was offered for ?1 to a buyer willing to fund the club for the next 5 years), and continue the legacy started by Powerday and the Crossan family over a decade ago. The group had a number of interested parties and were successful in taking two such parties to final contract stage. Regrettably the first party withdrew after getting cold feet in June 2022 - citing the impact of the Ukrainian war on their own business.
More recently in the 7 months prior to administration the group engaged in a huge amount of work, carried out closely with the RFU, PRL and representatives of NUE Equity (an LA Based Fund), to complete a widely publicised deal to acquire the club. Negotiations became very challenging when Brentford advised of their intention to give notice on our tenure at Brentford. The negotiations became more challenging still when the RFU Financial Viability Group governing Body decided to issue public ultimatums to both Powerday and the potential purchasers to complete the transaction within an unrealistic timeline. We suspect that this very public outing of our potential buyers created a nervousness amongst our American investors ultimately leading to deal failure. This was further compounded by HMRC's decision to issue a winding up order against London Irish Rugby Club.
The reality is that professional rugby in this country is going through a hugely challenging time and, as we know, many clubs are sadly still struggling to return to a stable path following the pandemic. After a decade of supporting the club financially, it is not feasible for Powerday to continue absorbing indefinitely the multi-million-pound losses of the club each year.
In the Board's view, the professional game in this country needs to be radically transformed, and the current leadership must urgently review its practices from top to bottom if it has a desire to see professional rugby continue in England."
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / The Future
« on: June 20, 2023, 12:07:45 PM »
So, theres been a very long silence from Wasps. We know that Championship rugby is not going to happen. What do we think WILL happen?
Options seem to be.
1. Nothing. Its over Wasps as a professional club is gone.
2. Wasps make some kind of deal with the amateur club & merge the two parts back into one & play in London SE Counties 2 Herts/Middx like Wlesh did (not actually sure what the pro side of the game have actually got to contribute?.?)
3. Start again at the bottom of the league structure with an amateur side. Assuming that Birmingham city staying at the EPIC precludes the use of that to play matches on, so not sure where this would be based?
4. Re-appear as some kind of ?Franchise? club in a re-structured league system. Although this has been mentioned no one seems to know what this means, how it will work or where they would physically play.
Option 2 would need to be already starting if they want to be ready for September.
Option 3 can probably be left a lot later, pulling together a scratch side & renting match day pitches on another clubs ground can be done quite quickly IMO.
Option 4 is totally dependent on the much mentioned ?game restructure? which is seems to be just an idea someone?s had. Any such restructure will be too late for the new season I would have thought?
IMO Option 3 will end up becoming Option 1.
Option 4 will never really materialise, so will also end up as Option 1.
Although I guess Option 2 or 3 could morph into Option 4 if it ever actually happens.
My head says 1, heart says 2.
Options seem to be.
1. Nothing. Its over Wasps as a professional club is gone.
2. Wasps make some kind of deal with the amateur club & merge the two parts back into one & play in London SE Counties 2 Herts/Middx like Wlesh did (not actually sure what the pro side of the game have actually got to contribute?.?)
3. Start again at the bottom of the league structure with an amateur side. Assuming that Birmingham city staying at the EPIC precludes the use of that to play matches on, so not sure where this would be based?
4. Re-appear as some kind of ?Franchise? club in a re-structured league system. Although this has been mentioned no one seems to know what this means, how it will work or where they would physically play.
Option 2 would need to be already starting if they want to be ready for September.
Option 3 can probably be left a lot later, pulling together a scratch side & renting match day pitches on another clubs ground can be done quite quickly IMO.
Option 4 is totally dependent on the much mentioned ?game restructure? which is seems to be just an idea someone?s had. Any such restructure will be too late for the new season I would have thought?
IMO Option 3 will end up becoming Option 1.
Option 4 will never really materialise, so will also end up as Option 1.
Although I guess Option 2 or 3 could morph into Option 4 if it ever actually happens.
My head says 1, heart says 2.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / England squad
« on: February 10, 2023, 03:11:46 PM »
Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Hassell-Collins; Farrell (c), Van Pooertvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundell
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundell
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wasps Women
« on: December 16, 2022, 03:41:29 PM »
The Allianz Premier 15s will be reduced to 8 clubs next season down form 10 which will see Wsps missing out.
https://www.premier15s.com/news/article/allianz-premier-15s-update
Also to miss out, Warriors, DMP Sharks, & Sale Sharks.
Brand new teams new to the competetion in Tigers & Ealing will join.
Given some of the one sided results I can see why some of these adjustments need to take place, but Sale Sharks will be angry, they are currently 4th in the league.
One snippet on the Wasps Womens announcement, they will be based with the men's side in the midlands next season.
https://www.premier15s.com/news/article/allianz-premier-15s-update
Also to miss out, Warriors, DMP Sharks, & Sale Sharks.
Brand new teams new to the competetion in Tigers & Ealing will join.
Given some of the one sided results I can see why some of these adjustments need to take place, but Sale Sharks will be angry, they are currently 4th in the league.
One snippet on the Wasps Womens announcement, they will be based with the men's side in the midlands next season.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wales
« on: December 05, 2022, 12:24:07 PM »
Wales appoint Gats to take them to the RWC at least.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63770196
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63770196
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Ex Wasps signing for new clubs
« on: October 20, 2022, 04:16:54 PM »
Give Once a Wasp always a Wasp this thread will list the players as they are confirmed as signing for other clubs, not just rumoured
First on is Josh Bassett confirmed as signing for Quinns till the end of the season
https://www.quins.co.uk/article/josh-basset-signs-for-quins-jb2022
First on is Josh Bassett confirmed as signing for Quinns till the end of the season
https://www.quins.co.uk/article/josh-basset-signs-for-quins-jb2022
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Semi-Finals
« on: June 10, 2022, 03:03:05 PM »
Who to cheers for?
I couldn't possibly support sarries so, although I feel slightly dirty doing so, it will have to be Quins.
Definitely Saints over Tigers.
A Quinns/Saints final should be much more entertaining than a Sarries/Tigers kick fest!
I couldn't possibly support sarries so, although I feel slightly dirty doing so, it will have to be Quins.
Definitely Saints over Tigers.
A Quinns/Saints final should be much more entertaining than a Sarries/Tigers kick fest!
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Claudia MacDonald
« on: April 14, 2022, 09:34:04 AM »
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61079973
Really sad news, just show that a career can be over so easily. Hopefully she can recover & play again at some point in the future.
Really sad news, just show that a career can be over so easily. Hopefully she can recover & play again at some point in the future.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Amendments to the Disciplinary process
« on: March 30, 2022, 04:48:12 PM »
http://rugbyandthelaw.com/2022/03/28/important-changes-to-rugby-disciplinary-regulations-world-rugby-rfu-hearing-player-banned/
Very sensible changes to allow players to better contest red cards hearings & allow lower sanctions where a player couldn't reasonably avoid head contact.
The rather sad thing is these were changed in January but not widely communicated....
Very sensible changes to allow players to better contest red cards hearings & allow lower sanctions where a player couldn't reasonably avoid head contact.
The rather sad thing is these were changed in January but not widely communicated....
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / teams up
« on: December 24, 2021, 12:06:22 PM »
Lee Blackett has named his side to host London Irish in Gallagher Premiership Round 11 on Sunday.
There are four personnel changes and three positional switches from the team that was named to take on Toulouse, before it was postponed.
Jacob Umaga, Elliott Stooke, Ali Crossdale and Tom Willis all return to the starting team.
Willis is in line to make his 50th Wasps appearance, as he starts at number eight.
The side is captained by Brad Shields, who switches to openside flanker, after he had his ban overturned on appeal. Alfie Barbeary completes the back row at blindside flanker.
Stooke is joined by Vaea Fifita in the second row. Tom West and Biyi Alo start as the props again. They pack down alongside hooker Dan Frost.
Crossdale starts at full-back and is joined in the back three by Francois Hougaard and Luke Mehson.
Umaga starts at fly half, as he hooks up with half-back partner Sam Wolstenholme.
Jimmy Gopperth and Josh Bassett form the centre partnership.
On the bench, prop Rodrigo Martinez is in line to make his Wasps debut. Tom Cruse and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen return from injury to make up the other front row replacements.
Michael Le Bourgeois is in line to make his 50th Premiership appearance from amongst the substitutes. He is joined by Tim Cardall, Thomas Young, Will Porter and Zach Kibirige as the other replacements.
Wasps team to face London Irish at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Boxing Day (kick-off 3:00pm)
Wasps (First-team appearances)
15 Ali Crossdale (7)
14 Francois Hougaard (4)
13 Josh Bassett (159)
12 Jimmy Gopperth (137)
11 Luke Mehson (4)
10 Jacob Umaga (58)
9 Sam Wolstenholme (23)
1 Tom West (58)
2 Dan Frost (6)
3 Biyi Alo (23)
4 Vaea Fifita (
5 Elliott Stooke (9)
6 Alfie Barbeary (17)
7 Brad Shields (62) (c)
8 Tom Willis (49)
Replacements
16 Tom Cruse (103)
17 Rodrigo Martinez (0)
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (54)
19 Tim Cardall (38)
20 Thomas Young (148)
21 Will Porter (37)
22 Michael Le Bourgeois (66)
23 Zach Kibirige (57)
Unavailable (18): Charlie Atkinson, Malakai Fekitoa, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Robin Hislop, Joe Launchbury, Elliot Millar-Mills, Ryan Mills, Matteo Minozzi, Ben Morris, Paolo Odogwu, Gabriel Oghre, Dan Robson, Will Simonds, Sam Spink, Theo Vukasinovic, Marcus Watson, Jack Willis.
There are four personnel changes and three positional switches from the team that was named to take on Toulouse, before it was postponed.
Jacob Umaga, Elliott Stooke, Ali Crossdale and Tom Willis all return to the starting team.
Willis is in line to make his 50th Wasps appearance, as he starts at number eight.
The side is captained by Brad Shields, who switches to openside flanker, after he had his ban overturned on appeal. Alfie Barbeary completes the back row at blindside flanker.
Stooke is joined by Vaea Fifita in the second row. Tom West and Biyi Alo start as the props again. They pack down alongside hooker Dan Frost.
Crossdale starts at full-back and is joined in the back three by Francois Hougaard and Luke Mehson.
Umaga starts at fly half, as he hooks up with half-back partner Sam Wolstenholme.
Jimmy Gopperth and Josh Bassett form the centre partnership.
On the bench, prop Rodrigo Martinez is in line to make his Wasps debut. Tom Cruse and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen return from injury to make up the other front row replacements.
Michael Le Bourgeois is in line to make his 50th Premiership appearance from amongst the substitutes. He is joined by Tim Cardall, Thomas Young, Will Porter and Zach Kibirige as the other replacements.
Wasps team to face London Irish at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Boxing Day (kick-off 3:00pm)
Wasps (First-team appearances)
15 Ali Crossdale (7)
14 Francois Hougaard (4)
13 Josh Bassett (159)
12 Jimmy Gopperth (137)
11 Luke Mehson (4)
10 Jacob Umaga (58)
9 Sam Wolstenholme (23)
1 Tom West (58)
2 Dan Frost (6)
3 Biyi Alo (23)
4 Vaea Fifita (
5 Elliott Stooke (9)
6 Alfie Barbeary (17)
7 Brad Shields (62) (c)
8 Tom Willis (49)
Replacements
16 Tom Cruse (103)
17 Rodrigo Martinez (0)
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (54)
19 Tim Cardall (38)
20 Thomas Young (148)
21 Will Porter (37)
22 Michael Le Bourgeois (66)
23 Zach Kibirige (57)
Unavailable (18): Charlie Atkinson, Malakai Fekitoa, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Robin Hislop, Joe Launchbury, Elliot Millar-Mills, Ryan Mills, Matteo Minozzi, Ben Morris, Paolo Odogwu, Gabriel Oghre, Dan Robson, Will Simonds, Sam Spink, Theo Vukasinovic, Marcus Watson, Jack Willis.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wasps U18s fixture
« on: December 17, 2021, 04:24:47 PM »
Apparently wasps u18s are playing Yorkshire u18s tomorrow at 2 pm.
Sadly its in Beverley, near Hull, so unlikley to be local for many on here....
Also sad that Wasps as a club haven't made more of this, the only reason I know about it is because Joe Launch has shard something about it on his instagram, Looks like he's been involved with some coaching with them.
Sadly its in Beverley, near Hull, so unlikley to be local for many on here....
Also sad that Wasps as a club haven't made more of this, the only reason I know about it is because Joe Launch has shard something about it on his instagram, Looks like he's been involved with some coaching with them.
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