Simpson set to leave in the summer as Ben arrrives at the Ricoh
SCRUM-HALF Joe Simpson will end his long association with Wasps this summer to join Gloucester – with Ben Vellacott heading in the opposite direction.
The 30-year-old joined Wasps Senior Academy in 2006 and has gone on to make 248 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2008.
However, in recent years Simpson has fallen behind
Dan Robson in the pecking order to become the club’s number two scrum-half.
His place in the squad will be filled by Vellacott – a try scorer at the Ricoh Arena in October during Gloucester’s 35-21 victory – who has made 45 appearances for the Cherry and Whites since his breakthrough 2017/18 season.
Simpson becomes the sixth player to be announced as leaving Wasps in recent weeks with Elliot Daly, Nathan Hughes, Willie le Roux, Will Stuart and Jake Cooper-Woolley all heading to pastures new this summer.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I leave Wasps. The club has been a second home for me over the last 15 years.
“It has shaped me as a player and as a person. The players, staff and fans have made this journey so special and I am extremely privileged to have been able to represent this great club and will always be grateful.
“It goes without saying that I will give my all in the Black and Gold till the end of the season and hopefully I can finish on a high note. “Wasps will always hold a special place in my heart,” he added. Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: “Having come through the club’s Academy system, Joe has gone on to be capped by England and the fact that he is soon set to make his 250th appearance for the club, demonstrates his consistency and also his commitment to the club during that time.
“We’d like to thank him for all his efforts and wish him all the best in the future.”
Vellacott’s arrival at the Ricoh Arena has been heavily rumoured for many months and Young was delighted to capture the 23-year-old.
He said: “Ben is a young player with a huge amount of potential.
“He is a hungry young athlete who will be keen to compete for a starting place and that’s exactly what we need in order to drive standards across the squad.
“We’re looking forward to having him join in the summer as the pace at which he plays the game is something that will no doubt benefit our backline.” Vellacott said: “The chance to play for such a historic club as Wasps is something that was too good to turn down.
“Wasps are known for their attacking brand of rugby and I think that’s something that certainly suits my game.
“So hopefully I can play a big part in helping the Club push forward and compete with the very best for trophies and titles in the years to come,” he added.
“In the meantime I’ll be giving it everything in a Gloucester Rugby shirt till the end of the season to help us finish on a high.”
It is with a heavy heart that I leave Wasps. The club has been a second home for me over the last 15 years. Joe Simpson