SOUTHERN COMFORT FOR YOUNG
Wasps coach looking outside Europe for key reinforcements
We had to go to the board for extra funding... they said they’re happy for us to consider options Wasps head coach Dai Young
DAI Young has confirmed that Wasps are urgently scouring the globe for short-term recruits.
The black-and-golds had no fewer than 14 players unavailable for selection against Bath through injury, in addition to which Nathan Hughes, Brendan Macken and Paul DoranJones were all forced off during Sunday’s game.
Since five of these will be absent for the long-term, Premiership Rugby’s salary cap regulations permit replacements to be brought in even if this takes a club beyond the £7 million annualised ceiling.
And after receiving the go-ahead from owner Derek Richardson’s board, Young is seeking to rapidly shore up his midfield, back and front rows. “We had to go to the board for extra funding, as although the salary cap rules allow for injury replacements, it obviously requires extra spend,” Wasps boss said. “They said they’re happy for us to consider options, so we’re currently looking at what’s out there by way of hookers, back-rowers and fly halves, with the aim of bringing in two players if we can find them. “There’s a couple on the market who we’re talking to, and once we’ve done that we’ll have to make a decision on what’s best for the team.” A number of Premiership teams are currently suffering with similarly lengthy injury lists, and mulling over the same interim options.
Given this competition, plus the requirement to find a player of the right standard who is also willing to come to England for a few months, even with funds available bringing a player in may not be easy as Young acknowledged.
“You’d want to register them for Europe, which means they’d be here for at least three months,” he said.
“Anyone out there in Europe currently out of contract and without a club is probably not going to make much of an impact.
“Top Championship players won’t get released, and no Premiership or French club will let us have their second or third choice either - I know I wouldn’t.
“With autumn internationals round the corner, the Scottish and Welsh teams will be depleted, so they won’t have anyone available either. So we’re probably left with someone from the Southern Hemisphere who can get release to play here for a few months.
“They then would have to go back for Super Rugby in February, but that’s the avenue we’re going down at the moment.
“Players do benefit from playing in different leagues, and you’d think there’s plenty who would be attracted by coming here if their clubs see it as a positive way for them to spend their off-season.”