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'We're hoping we can help develop him into a top-level Premiership prop'

By Online Editors
Mike Daniels, on the ball here for Worcester, has signed for Wasps from Nottingham (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Wasps are hoping their ability to turn little known props into reliable, long-term Premiership performers will again come to fruition following their latest signing of a front rower.

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The Premiership outfit have had a string of successes in developing relative unknowns into finished products under the tutelage of Dai Young, the former 51-cap Wales prop who has been in charge at Wasps since 2011.

Jake Cooper-Woolley, Ben Harris and Simon McIntyre are all examples of scrummagers who have benefited greatly from Young’s coaching prowess and new recruit Mike Daniels will similarly hope to profit from next summer onwards.

The tighthead has signed from Championship club Nottingham – but the 26-year-old isn’t a complete stranger to Wasps as he stepped in as emergency injury cover and made his debut in the December Premiership match away to Saracens.

“Mike has a lot of potential. We were impressed when he came here for a short spell to help out in December and we’re looking forward to getting him on board in the summer,” said Young about the prop who started out in the Bath academy before moving on to New Zealand-based Northcote Birkenhead, Loughborough University, Worcester Warriors, Hartpury and Nottingham last summer.

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“He certainly has a lot of room for growth and we’re hoping we can help develop him into a top-level Premiership prop, as we’ve done with the likes of Jake Cooper-Woolley, Ben Harris and Simon McIntyre.”

Daniels is hoping he can make the grade. “Moving to Wasps is a fantastic opportunity to surround myself with top-class players and to try and improve my game,” he said.

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“I had a taste of pulling on the Black and Gold in December and it’s something I can’t wait to do again.

“I’ll be giving my all for Nottingham in the meantime but am thoroughly excited about the challenge of testing myself once again in the Premiership.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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