Stuart’s loss was keenly felt – Young
NEW England call-up Will Stuart’s summer departure from Wasps was one of the ‘real big losses’ for Dai Young – a director of rugby who lost international stars Elliot Daly, Nathan Hughes and Willie le Roux during that same period.
The tight-head prop’s name was not as headline grabbing as the above trio of internationals when he switched the Ricoh Arena for The Rec. But his departure is one of the most keenly felt by his former boss.
“Certainly, from my point of view, him leaving here, that was one of the biggest losses we had last season,” said Young, who also saw long servants Joe Simpson and Jake CooperWoolley join Premiership rivals upon the conclusion of the 2018/19 campaign.
“I think a lot of people focused on some of the really big names, but to me, Will Stuart was up there with the real big losses for us.”
The 23-year-old from Westminster ended his final season at Wasps in fine form and has continued the good work at Bath, culminating in Eddies Jones calling the 133kg forward into his squad for the Six Nations.
It’s no surprise for former British Lions and Wales tighthead Young, who desperately wanted to keep the Wasps Academy product at the club.
“We did everything in our power to try and keep him,” he explained. “But he decided he wanted to look elsewhere and play his rugby elsewhere, which you have to respect. I said then, I thought Will would go all the way, I am not surprised that he is in the squad and I hope he goes on to bigger and better things.”
He added: “In the professional game you win some and you lose some regards players. There’s lots of things and lots of reasons where players stay or players leave. People focus on the money but it’s not all about the money. It’s about lifestyle and other things that will pop up through all of our working lives, no matter what job you’re working in.
“One thing I try and pride myself on, is, if players leave, I’ve got no issue going and having a chat with them when they go. They never leave in bad circumstances, or we never fall out over it. It’s a professional game, you have to treat things professionally.”