Wasps fancy Ibitoye to fill Wade gap

WASPS have put Gabriel Ibitoye, one of the most exciting wing talents in the Northern Hemisphere, at the top of their wanted list to replace Christian Wade. Ibitoye, 20, is out of contract with Harlequins at the end of the season and is yet to agree a new deal to remain at the Twickenham Stoop beyond the summer. He was the stand-out attacking threat for England at the U20 World Cup in the summer, a year after being shortlisted for the Player of the Tournament award. Ibitoye has already caught the eye of England coach Eddie Jones who invited him to train with the senior England squad at their pre-season training camp in August.

It is little surprise that Dai Young believes he is the best long term replacement available for NFL-bound Wade, who was out of contract at the end of the season.

Young, however, will face plenty of competition from other Premiership clubs with Gloucester, Worcester Warriors and Northampton Saints also interested in signing Ibitoye.

But because he is on an academy contract they will have to wait until April 1 to open talks instead of New Year’s Day as is the case with players on senior deals.

Meanwhile, Young is set to seal a deal for former All Black Malakai Fekitoa from Toulon next season after seeing off Northampton Saints.

Fekitoa is poised to put pen to paper on a deal that will see him link up with former Highlanders team mate Lima Sopoaga at the Ricoh Arena next season.

Tight-head: Frans Malherbe Exciting wing talent: Gabriel Ibitoye SALE SHARKS have made no secret of the fact that they want to strengthen their front row and have been looking at a number of South African players without success.Blindside now understands that they have made an enquiry about Stormers duo Steven Kitshoff,below, and Frans Malherbe, for after the World Cup next season.Both of the Springbok stars are out of contract in 2019 and are yet to discuss extensions to their current deals despite the clock counting down.The Sharks have been quick to ask about their future plans to see if they are interested in a move to the Premiership post Japan.Loose-head Kitshoff, 26, only returned to the Stormers in 2017 from Bordeaux while tight- head Malherbe has spent the last seven seasons at Newlands.But reaching an acceptable financial package with the pair could be a potential spanner in the works for Steve Diamond.