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'Ah bollocks!' and 'Superb signing': Koch transfer stirs emotions
By Liam Heagney
BT Sport rugby commentator Nick Mullins reckons the decision of Springboks prop Vincent Koch to leave Saracens for Wasps will be just one of plenty of big-name moves as clubs in the English top-flight look to get their salary caps in order ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.
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The 31-year-old South African has been a firm favourite of Saracens fans since his arrival in London in 2016, the World-Cup winning prop even playing for the club in last season’s Championship title-winning campaign.
However, just weeks after the switch of George Ford from Leicester to Sale lit up the Premiership grapevine, the news that Koch is heading to Wasps next season has had a similarly busy reaction online.
It was at 11.45am on Thursday when Saracens admitted they had lost their man, tweeting: “Thank you, Vinnie. We can today confirm that @vincentkoch1 will be leaving the club at the end of the season.”
This was followed by the noon confirmation from Wasps that Koch would be their new tighthead next season. “Welcome to Wasps… Mr Incredible x Vincent Koch,” they posted with a video accompanying the news of their Premiership transfer coup.
ok so it turns out vincent koch looks more like mr incredible before you photoshop the costume on https://t.co/cBjZxbyYzf
— Roarz (@Roarzz) December 9, 2021
Mullins, who covers the league for UK rights holders BT Sport, soon tweeted: “Prepare for plenty of big-name moves like Vincent Koch’s. Trimming the Premiership wage cap to £5m/year and cutting back to just one marquee player means most will be busy re-shaping their squads and off-loading high-earners over the next couple of seasons.”
Numerous fans gave their reaction to the deal taking Koch from London to Coventry, Saracens understandably showing their disappointment and Wasps supporters cheering from the rooftops. Stand up comedian, actor, writer Hal Cruttenden, a high profile Saracens supporter, said: “Ah bollocks! Great player who I think I always underrated because he had too nice a face for a prop.”
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Another Sarries fan added: “Absolutely gutted with this news. With the rumours of Mako (Vunipola) as well, don’t look good for the future.” Another tweet read: “Like many Sarries supporters I’m gutted to hear Vincent Koch is leaving. He has contributed immeasurably to Saracens’ success. He’ll be a huge asset to Wasps.”
Fans of the Coventry-based club were naturally thrilled with their singing. One tweeted: “Could ever only see Vincent Koch leave Sarries for Sale with his best mate there….how wrong was I!?”
Another reckoned: “Superb signing for Wasps, one-third of the bomb squad. He really is the real deal, a signing of intent by Wasps. I feel Saracens may regret this one although you never know what they have in the pipeline. He is at the top of his game entering his prime.”
Prepare for plenty of big-name moves like Vincent Koch's. Trimming the Premiership wage cap to £5m/year and cutting back to just one marquee player means most will be busy re-shaping their squads and off-loading high-earners over the next couple of seasons.
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) December 9, 2021
Ah bollocks! Great player who I think I always underrated because he had too nice a face for a prop.
— Hal Cruttenden (@Halcruttenden) December 9, 2021
Vincent Koch off to Wasps next season ?
— Mark Simpson (@SimmoNo9) December 9, 2021
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TRANSFER: Vincent Koch has called time on his long stint with Saracens#Wasps #Saracens #GallagherPrem #Springbokshttps://t.co/vOoC2NDSOh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 9, 2021
Very strange for Saracens to let 100 cap player Vincent Koch go to Wasps. Must have been huge £££ involved for them because he's a guy you build a team around and entering his prime!
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) December 9, 2021
Could ever only see Vincent Koch leave Sarries for Sale with his best mate there….how wrong was I!? https://t.co/QQutlvM4Ft
— David Du P (@wiehanndup) December 9, 2021
Superb signing for Wasps, one third of the bomb squad. He really is the real deal, a signing of intent by Wasps. I feel Saracens may regret this one although you never know what they have in the pipeline but he’s at the top of his game entering his prime #VincentKoch #tighthead https://t.co/RFrZ91x7rC
— Graeme Peacock (@graemepeacock05) December 9, 2021
Big News from Wasps?!
Can't wait to see his blockbusting runs in an already dynamic Wasps pack??#Wasps #GallagherPrem #VincentKoch https://t.co/gKyOTdtUEt
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) December 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/OBJosh88/status/1468922079382749188
This is just the man Wasps need. Since Kieran Brookes left, their scrum has undoubtedly struggled. Surprised to see Koch leave Saracens but it’s a real statement signing for Wasps, landing a world class operator in a key area where they needed strengthening. https://t.co/1Ktt6FrV12
— Bobby Bridge (@bobby_bridge) December 9, 2021
