Training site plan to get a boost – Dai
WASPS director of rugby Dai Young revealed a new training ground location is under ‘serious consideration.’
Following an article printed in a national newspaper that suggested there was unrest in the Wasps’ camp due to the club’s stalled training ground progress and financial issues, Young has made the unusual step of responding with a statement.
The article listed Elliot Daly, Joe Launchbury and Christian Wade as ‘want away’ players following the prolonged stay at the club’s temporary home at Broadstreet RFC.
Young said: “The construction of new training facilities is taking longer than originally hoped. We had a couple of projects which reached a pretty advanced stage but unfortunately did come not to fruition.
“I know a further location is now under serious consideration and that this project could take a big step forward in the very near future.
“Since September ten of our senior squad have signed new contracts. This includes Joe Launchbury, Elliot Daly and only this week Dan Robson.
“Clearly we are all looking forward to being in a permanent home, and in the meantime we are all fully focused on the remainder of the season and are pushing hard to reach the play-offs for a third consecutive year.”
The article was published online the same day James Haskell posted a video on his Instagram story that discussed the topic of Wasps’ training ground issue.
In a changing room at Broadstreet RFC’s Ivor Preece Field, Haskell’s to-camera clip was recorded in the presence of team-mates Joe Launchbury, Jimmy Gopperth and Dan Robson and published to his 239,000 followers on the social media platform.
He said: “Day 75, still locked in grassroots hell. Has anyone seen the new training facility? Lads? Apparently we’re getting one in 50 years time. Watch this space.”
The Coventry Telegraph understands the new site for the proposed training ground is at Old Leamingtonians RFC.
The same article that prompted Young’s response also listed financial issues as a reason for a possible ‘player exodus.’ Wasps accounts are three months late but are expected to be submitted in the next few days.