Simpson off to Gloucester

WASPS scrum-half Joe Simpson will join fellow Premiership side Gloucester at the end of the season in a straight swap for Ben Vellacott.

A number of high-profile players have left Wasps – or will leave in the summer – including Nathan Hughes (Bristol), Christian Wade (NFL) and Elliot Daly, who will join Saracens.

Simpson, 30, made his Wasps debut in 2008 and is the club’s longest-serving player, with more than 200 appearances since coming through their academy.

“I believe the squad Gloucester are assembling is one that is capable of challenging at the top,” Simpson said.

Gloucester scrum-half Vellacott will move in the opposite direction.

Vellacott, 23, has played 45 times for the Cherry and Whites, and trained with the England squad last season.

“The chance to play for such a historic club as Wasps is something too good to turn down,” he said.

South Africa centre Juan de Jongh has penned a new contract to remain at Wasps.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: “Juan has been outstanding for us in the past couple of seasons.

“Having another quality international centre, who can play at both 12 and 13, commit to the club is great news.

“He’s solid in defence and he has certainly shown his prowess in attack with six tries already this season.”