Simpson sold on Wasps potential

SEEING Saracens become top dogs in Europe has only heightened Wasps’ ambition to supersede them, according to scrum-half Joe Simpson.

Simpson, once again overlooked by England despite guiding Wasps to top spot in the Premiership, insists his side are a rising Champions Cup force.

He told The Rugby Paper: “You have to be impressed by Saracens but it whets your appetite and we’re desperate to get Wasps back to that level.

“We had a good Champions Cup campaign this season before one poor quarter-final match in Leinster cost us, but we’re a growing team.

“Teams that win the Champions Cup tend to have had years of heartache and you’ve seen that with Saracens, Munster and Leinster. They learned through defeat, matured as people and that’s the process our team is going through.

“The average age of our squad is young and our best years are ahead.”

Simpson admits being disappointed by his latest England snub

He said: “I’m playing the best rugby of my career so it is frustrating to be left out. Dan Robson and I are both frustrated, but all we can do is play well, keep enjoying our rugby and drive Wasps forward.”

Simpson cannot find favour with boss Eddie Jones but reckons clubmate Joe Launchbury is a strong contender to be England’s next captain.

“Dylan Hartley’s done a brilliant job so I’m not disrespecting him, but at some stage Launchers would be a perfect fit for England,” said Simpson.

“He’s level-headed, very vocal and always looking to improve so whenever Eddie feels it’s right to make that change, Launchers would do a great job.”

Simpson, meanwhile, has no doubts over who the Lions’ Test No.9 must be.

He said: “If Conor Murray is fit, he should start. He was the most complete scrum-half in the Six Nations and although Rhys Webb is a great player, Murray’s able to dictate the tempo of a game and can handle the physical battle.

“Webb’s more individual and someone to bring on if you’re chasing a game, but Murray should be nailed on.”