15 for 10: Wasps - an all-decade XV
The penultimate 15 for 10 takes us to the West Midlands, where it’s been a tumultuous decade for Wasps, who have avoided relegation and administration, found a new home and more recently struggled after an initial surge up the table following their departure from High Wycombe.
The club formerly known as London Wasps have begun putting down roots in Coventry, with confirmation of a new state of the art training facility to be built, and a number of their stalwarts from their days in the home counties have since parted ways with the club.
It’s a decade that has marked a new era for the club, although plenty of the players who made the cut below shone during the team’s days in High Wycombe. Read on for the XV and let us know who you think we missed.
- Willie le Roux
Perhaps the most talent-rich position for Wasps over the last decade, with Charles Piutau and Kurtley Beale having enjoyed short spells at the club, the final couple of years of club legend Mark van Gisbergen, as well as Hugo Southwell and Rob Miller all on the books at one point or another. That said, le Roux revitalised his career in Coventry, having previously struggled at the Sharks after he left the Cheetahs. His platform for Rugby World Cup success was rebuilt in the West Midlands.
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- Christian Wade
The 28-year-old was agonisingly close to breaking the all-time Premiership try record before he left to try his luck in the NFL, with his mark of 82 just 10 shy of Tom Varndell’s 92. With the time Wade still had left on his side, there was very little doubt he would have comfortably exceeded the mark. Even in poorer Wasps sides, Wade was still a threat to score from anywhere on the pitch and he was unlucky not to have made more of a mark in the international arena.
- Elliot Daly
A mention for the versatile Andrea Masi, who made his presence felt in a number of positions for the club, although none would likely dispute Daly’s ownership of this jersey. The England international repeatedly excelled for Wasps at outside centre and his searing pace and cannon of a boot proved vital in plenty of Wasps wins over the past decade.
- Jimmy Gopperth
The Kiwi has arguably never looked better than when he was playing at inside centre outside of Danny Cipriani. The dual-playmaker axis worked exceptionally well for Wasps and it is no coincidence that the team’s recent struggles have happened whilst Gopperth has been sidelined by injury.
- Tom Varndell
A nod to Josh Bassett, who has been very consistent for the club at a time when they have endured fairly significant season-on-season departures in the back three, although Varndell was the difference between the club staying in the Premiership and being relegated and likely going into administration. In addition to that excellent individual season, Varndell was also a dangerous attacking threat whenever he took to the pitch.
- Danny Cipriani
Welsh fly-halves Stephen Jones and Nicky Robinson had their moments at Wasps, although it was during Cipriani’s second spell with the club that they looked closest to rediscovering their title-winning ways. It didn’t quite happen for the club, although Cipriani did push himself back into England contention, even if it was only for one summer tour of South Africa.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1211395220958568453?s=20
- Joe Simpson
A tough call, with Dan Robson having excelled since moving to the club, although it was the longevity and consistency of Simpson’s service over the entire decade that swung this in his favour. Schooled in Ealing, Simpson was one of the club’s last links to their former London roots, with the scrum-half, Daly and Wade having all left the club this year. His electric ability is still being used to very good effect by Gloucester.
- Matt Mullan
An astute signing back in 2013, Mullan went on to represent Wasps over 100 times and was talked up as an England option for much of his early years at the club. He was only denied regular opportunities by England’s strength at the position, although his form for Wasps was strong enough to edge him ahead of another club stalwart, Simon McIntyre.
- Rob Webber
The peak of Webber’s career arguably came in the last couple of years he spent at Wasps, something which was enough to catch Bath’s eye and earn him a lucrative move west. Tommy Taylor has been plagued by injury problems since he moved from Sale, which seals this spot for Webber, who was pushing hard for England caps earlier in the decade.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1211386719913816067?s=20
- Lorenzo Cittadini
There has been a lot of player movement at tighthead for Wasps over the past 10 years and a number of players, such as Kieran Brookes and Marty Moore might also have valid claims on this spot. That said, Cittadini did well in a team that wasn’t built around the strength of its scrum and helped stabilise a unit that was often put under pressure by opponents.
- Joe Launchbury
An honourable mention for the last year and a half of Simon Shaw’s time at the club, although the torch was placed in safe hands with the arrival of Launchbury. The lock has gone on to captain the club and has been the one player to commit his long-term future to the club, with the dust having settled on the move to Coventry. He represents the past and the future of the team and there have been few more dedicated servants to Wasps.
- James Gaskell
Gaskell sees off the challenge of Marco Wentzel thanks to the longevity of his service since arriving from Sale in 2014. His mobility and lineout ability suited the club’s high-tempo style of play during their 2016-18 peak. He has impressed alongside Launchbury and provided stability as Wasps’ turnover of players has risen.
- Ashley Johnson
This position could have ended up with Sam Jones, had injury not sadly curtailed his promising career. That said, Johnson has been an exemplary signing for Wasps since arriving from the Cheetahs. He was pivotal in helping Wasps through their battle against relegation in High Wycombe, before providing an important ball-carrying spark as they consolidated in Coventry and attempted to push up the Premiership table.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1210503801486168064?s=20
- Thomas Young
If one position stacks up with full-back at Wasps, it’s openside flanker, where Serge Betsen, Jack Willis and George Smith have all plied their trade, as well as the final season or two of Tom Rees’ injury-ravaged career. James Haskell is arguably the most unlucky to miss out, with the veteran having buoyed Wasps in his second stint with the club, but Young has been a revelation for the Coventry-based outfit and has only been denied more opportunities with Wales due to quality of that nation’s openside options.
- Nathan Hughes
Hughes peaked in Wasps’ rapid rise up the table in the 2015/16 season and over the following couple of seasons, he would make himself integral to the club’s style of play. He may not have had the same impact in international rugby, although Bristol Bears’ massive contract to him in the summer is confirmation of the talent and game-breaking ability that he has.
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments