Wasps
Ins Joe Atkinson (London Scottish), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Nizaam Carr (Stormers), Ambrose Curtis (Manawatu), Antonio ‘TJ’ Harris (Academy), Michael Le Bourgeois (Bedford Blues), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Ben Morris (Nottingham), Ross Neal (London Scottish), Billy Searle (Bristol Bears), Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), Will Stuart (Academy), Tom West (Academy), Zurabi Zhvania (Stade Francais).
Outs Guy Armitage (Ealing Trailfinders), Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby), Paul Doran Jones (released), Kyle Eastmond (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (Northampton Saints), Sam Jones (retired), Alex Lundberg (Ealing), Brendan Macken (released), Marty Moore (Ulster), Guy Thompson (Leicester Tigers), Matt Symons (Harlequins). What’s new?
At the start of last season Wasps director of rugby Dai Young stressed the importance of Danny Cipriani and Jimmy Gopperth. With the former moved on to Gloucester and the latter having to undergo an ACL reconstruction after sustaining a serious injury in a preseason friendly against Connacht, this will be the part of the park to watch Wasps, particularly with the arrival of Lima Sopoaga. Who is the director of rugby and what is the game plan?
Wasps have been to known to play a high-tempo attacking brand of rugby under Young. With the signing of three players from New Zealand-based clubs, fly-half Sopoaga (right), back-row Brad Shields and Manawatu wing Ambrose Curtis, expect exciting rugby but in order to compete with Saracens and Exeter, the consistency in defence needs to improve. Key man
With the changes in the back line, England’s Elliot Daly, a Wasps player his entire professional career, will be key to maintaining calm and composure in the backs regardless of what position he starts at. The player has reiterated his desire to start at 13 but could potentially fill in for Willie le Roux at full-back, while the Springbok is on international duty.
Most exciting signing?
Considering his All Black pedigree and experience with the Highlanders in Super Rugby, Sopoaga should add a different (and high-quality) dimension to Wasps’ game this season.
Who has it all to prove?
Before the Premiership has even kicked off, there is expectation on Shields to make a mark early on at Wasps considering the furore over his England selection in June in order to solidify his selection at international level.
If they were an international side they would be ...
Australia. There is the expectation, history and tradition of lots of silverware and success but recently they have been thwarted repeatedly by a rival side clad in black jerseys. Wasps’ ambition will be to challenge at the same level as Saracens, much as is Australia’s relationship with New Zealand. At the moment, Wasps do look to have the better chance!