Charlie tipped for Tigers as clubs home in on Wasps’ talented stars
AFTER Wasps went into administration on Monday and all their players and coaches were made redundant, rival clubs have been mulling over who they can pick up to bolster their own squads in these unfortunate circumstances.
Here is the latest news and rumours surrounding out of work players.
CHARLIE ATKINSON
Fly-half Charlie Atkinson could be set for a move to Leicester Tigers after reports of talks emerged regarding his move across the Midlands.
The 21-year-old was among the players and staff made redundant by Wasps on Monday as the business they operate under, Wasps Holdings Limited, went into administration.
The Telegraph has reported that the talks are centering around a move this season.
Since making his senior Wasps debut in August 2020, Atkinson has amassed 40 appearances and was ever-present this season, scoring two tries in four games.
Tigers are currently without Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard after he underwent surgery on his knee, leaving Freddie Burns as the main option with experienced former Wasps player Jimmy Gopperth also an option at Steve Borthwick’s disposal. The same publication also suggested that Saracens could be a ‘potential destination’ for Atkinson.
BIYI ALO
Tighthead prop Biyi Alo has been photographed participating in a training session with Racing 92.
The powerful forward made 46 appearances for Wasps after initially joining temporarily from Coventry Rugby in 2019, and has attracted the interest of England head coach Eddie Jones.
If the Top 14 side does offer the former Saracens and Worcester Warriors player a contract, he will increase the Wasps interest in them further after Christian Wade recently joined them and scored on his return to rugby after four years away from the sport.
ALFIE BARBEARY
One of Wasps’ brightest young stars Alfie Barbeary could also be playing across the Channel by the end of the season as Bordeaux Begles emerged as a contender for his signature. The Telegraph has also reported that discussions have been held with three Premiership clubs. A snagging point for Barbeary is his fitness, after undergoing hamstring surgery recently that will rule him out until
2023.
VINCENT KOCH
The signing of Saracens prop Vincent Koch was the bright light that shone through the gloom at Wasps during testing times - how bad can things be if they can attract the World Cup winning Springboks ace? Sadly, Wasps fans never got to see him in action for the club. Koch was due to play against Northampton Saints but was withdrawn due to flu. Now he is also looking for a new employer after little over a week in the West Midlands.
Koch was likely to only briefly link up with Wasps before rejoining the Springboks ah-ead of their Autumn international series, and their head coach Jacques Nienaber gave this update on the 32-year-old: “He won’t have participated in (club) rugby but if my memory serves me correct because of the injuries that there were to the props at Saracens, Vincent last year he was coming in just under 2,000 minutes for the year. “So in terms of his body, this little break that he has now - and it won’t be a break as he will be in consultation with the S&C and the performance staff, they will be on his case - from a performance contact point of a view, if you have just come out of a season playing 2,000 minutes as a tighthead prop, he was exposed to a lot of rugby.”
JACK WILLIS
Jack Willis was among the first players to be linked with a move away from Wasps, with Bristol Bears being reported as keen on bringing in the England international.
But the Telegraph understands this deal is proving difficult due to issues Bristol has with squeezing the 2019/20 Premiership player of the season inside their salary cap.