Michele playing for his future at Wasps
FIT-again midfield ace Michele Campagnaro aims to resurrect his stalled Premiership career at Wasps while admitting all playing options are open for next season.
Campagnaro joined Wasps from Exeter on a short-term deal last month in order to prove himself after having last season wrecked by injury.
The 25-year-old said: “I had an amazing time at Exeter, the best club I’ve been at, but after rupturing my ACL at the start of last season I couldn’t get back into the first team as they were fighting to get into the Premiership final.
“It was my second ACL injury – I did the other when I was 18 – so I knew what I was facing, but it was frustrating managing only a few A-games.
“I wasn’t getting a lot of game time this season either, but Wasps have had injuries and there’s a bit more space here. I’ve settled in quickly so I’m just looking to put myself out there as much as possible and see what options I have.
“I’m hoping to sort something out in the next two or three months and my mind is open. I’ll have been in England four years by the end of the season and it’s been great here, but France or Italy could also provide options.”
Campagnaro was part of Italy’s midfield during an autumn series that produced a victory over Georgia but heavy defeats to Ireland, Australia and New Zealand followed.
Azzurri improvement has been glacial under coaches Conor O’Shea and Mike Catt but Campagnaro insists the pair retain player confidence.
He explained: “They’ve brought a lot of new stuff in terms of making the environment more professional around the whole of Italian rugby, but in Italy things happen more slowly.
“We want to compete with the best teams, not just play against them. The players trust Conor and Mike – Conor’s a very passionate man and he wants Italy to reach a level they have never been at before but it’s very hard right now. When you look at our fixtures next year it’s a huge test, but we need to start getting some good results.”
Campagnaro will be heavily involved in the Six Nations but his immediate focus is on Wasps cementing their top four place.
He added: “We’re in a good position in the Premiership but still have to play our best rugby. We’ve not played as well as we should but there are so many good players it’s going to be an exciting ride.”