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Wasps and Gloucester swap scrumhalves in exchange deal

Joe Simpson

Wasps have revealed the signing of promisingscrumhalf Ben Vellacott who will join the Club in the summer from Gloucester Rugby.

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The 23-year-old will compete for the number nine shirt in 2019/20 after an impressive couple of seasons with the cherry-and-whites.

Vellacott has racked up 45 appearances for Gloucester to date, having crossed the whitewash on 12 occasions.

His breakthrough season came in 2017/18 where he made 27 appearances, scoring seven tries and subsequently being called up to train with the England squad.

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He previously spent time at Hartpury College, while he was also a part of the Scotland Under 20 squad for the Junior World Championship in 2015.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Ben is a young player with a huge amount of potential.

“He is a hungry young athlete who will be keen to compete for a starting place and that’s exactly what we need in order to drive standards across the squad.

“We’re looking forward to having him join in the summer as the pace at which he plays the game is something that will no doubt benefit our backline.”

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Vellacott said: “The chance to play for such a historic club as Wasps is something that was too good to turn down.

“Wasps are known for their attacking brand of rugby and I think that’s something that certainly suits my game so hopefully I can play a big part in helping the Club push forward and compete with the very best for trophies and titles in the years to come.

“In the meantime I’ll be giving it everything in a Gloucester Rugby shirt till the end of the season to help us finish on a high.”

Simpson to make Gloucester switch in summer

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Wasps scrum half Joe Simpson will be leaving the Club at the end of the season to join Gloucester Rugby.

Simpson, who joined the Wasps Senior Academy in 2006 before featuring for the first-team in 2008/09, has gone on to make 248 appearances in the Black and Gold to date.

The 30-year-old has been part of a Wasps side that has reached the Premiership play-offs in each of the last three seasons, including a final appearance in 2016/17.

Simpson said: “It is with a heavy heart that I leave Wasps. The Club has been a second home for me over the last 15 years.

“It has shaped me as a player and as a person. The players, staff and fans have made this journey so special and I am extremely privileged to have been able to represent this great club and will always be grateful.

“It goes without saying that I will give my all in the Black and Gold till the end of the season and hopefully I can finish on a high note.

“Wasps will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Having come through the Club’s Academy system, Joe has gone on to be capped by England and the fact that he is soon set to make his 250th appearance for the Club, demonstrates his consistency and also his commitment to the Club during that time.

“When you look at some of the greats for Wasps Rugby, he has to be up there and what’s important for me is that he gets the send-off he deserves over the next few months.

“We’d like to thank him for all his efforts and wish him all the best in his next venture.”

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JW 1 hour ago
'I feel for the players': Jamie Joseph's reflection on falling short again

Some great leadership quality from Big Jim, he facilitated for large parts then put the responsibility on himself at the end drive the team forward in the last desperate minutes. He also filled in for Withy extremely well, adding real strength to the maul.


The Force have been playing very well this year indeed, and their stars did make a couple of key players, the main factor though is definitely what I reported in the previous article “

Gotta say I’m really enjoying the Highlanders desperation in the last 10 minutes of games, maybe it’s just because theyre having to throw the kitchen sink at it again. Another massive effort to hold the opposition out just like in the Blues game. I’m sure the coach’s will be wanting a little more composure though as the play seems to far more hap hazard (really just the type of footy I like watching) than the picture they bring at the beggining of games.

Again though they don’t have the refs to thank for anything, being down a man twenty more minutes than they should have been. Most importantly they were without one of they best attackers (not counting Tangitau’s early change) for the final push, with Nareki’s bin.

Again, I can see where this team is trying to go, I hope they can get their this year as they certainly have the game to be a top four team if they click. They are munch of misfits when you look at it objectively though, they probably have the worst cohesion score of any SRP team. A few more wins, maybe a come from behind upset may be the best theey can hope to acheive this year.

“. Like Jim I thought the defence stood up strongly for large parts, but they may just have some structural issues, where it’s just not paying off. They had Lawaqa on the wing all day, allowed the Force to make a dozen linebreaks, why? Both there attack and defence look a bit too fancy for me, why? Common Joseph, the youngest team with the least cohesion/most new guys, it look overly complicated.


I hope it clicks. Manson in particular looked to be trying far too hard when he came on, what’s been said in his ear? Stick to you lane son and don’t make any mistakes, don’t lose the game for your team. Should be a comfortable win next week against Drua if they keep there heads up and come back stronger. Lasaqa might be best to come off the bench, would keep Jim at 12 but I’d like Tele’a to come back to the side, though TUJ hasn’t been bad and style might suit Drua more. Hopefully Renton or someone with some size is at 8 or 6, Lasaqa appears to be more an 8 actually, similar to Sititi and I wouldn’t mind if he was groomed behind him and Sotutu. Lennox I thought could make a good halfback but isn’t ready, I’d hope Arscott, Fakatava, or Pledger could return to the side. Other than Drua theyve got Cheifs twice, though the home game is the last of the round/season so potentially a gimme if the Chiefs repeat previous years tactics. The Crusaders and Moana at home are also very doable. Those four wins could see them crash into the top 6 still.

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