HOU’S THE MAN!
WASPS BOSS: NEW SIGNING’S EXPERIENCE KEY
NEW signing Francois Hougaard will provide ‘invaluable’ experience to the Wasps squad according to head coach Lee Blackett.
The 32-year-old scrum-half ’s rumoured switch from Worcester Warriors was confirmed yesterday ahead of the 2021/22 season.
He fills the gap created by Ben Vellacott’s move to Edinburgh Rugby upon the conclusion of this campaign and will compete with
England international Dan
Robson as well as youngsters
Will Porter and Sam Wolstenholme for scrum-half roles at
Wasps.
Robson’s England commitments have seen him play in just four of Wasps’ 15 games so far this season and Blackett believes adding former Springbok Hougaard will help bridge the experience gap during international windows.
“We are lucky to have some very tal- ented young 9s and 10s at the club, but with Dan Robson often away on international duty, we feel adding Francois’ experience will be invaluable to the balance of youth and experience within the team.
“Francois has been a proven Premiership operator with Worcester for a number of years now and we are looking forward to seeing him put in some top performances in a Black and Gold shirt next season.
“We are all looking forward to working with him and believe he will be an extremely positive influence on our squad.”
Hougaard, who played his 46th and final Test for the Springboks in 2017, has an Instragram following of more than 290,000, is well-known for his love of expensive cars including owning a Lamborghini, and has also publicly stated his desire to ‘become a billionaire.’ He has numerous business interests including vitamin pills, signage companies, fashion brands, exotic game and a capital-funding company.
Hougaard has been with Worcester since 2016 when he signs from the Blue Bulls, and has scored 15 tries in 84 appearances for the Sixways club. Hougaard said: “I am massively excited to be joining such a great Club in Wasps.
“They have some brilliant players and play a wonderful brand of rugby.
“I was hugely impressed by the ambition of the club and the vision and philosophy of the coaches. “I can’t wait to continue my career with a new challenge and hopefully I can make a difference to what is already a great squad.”