Wasps sign Robinson and Davis as Walder departs

[TRF_Cymro]

London Wasps have today confirmed the signings of Nicky Robinson from Gloucester Rugby and Ryan Davis from Exeter Chiefs
Nicky Robinson in action against Wasps this season

The two Premiership fly-halves join London Wasps as Dave Walder confirms he is to depart to play overseas next season after five years with the club.

Both players have joined on two-year contracts.

Welsh international Robinson has been a key figure in the Premiership this season for Gloucester and has been in excellent form lately as his team make a charge for the play-offs. He brings with him top-level experience to Wasps, with 13 international caps. He spent nine seasons with Cardiff before joining Gloucester in the summer of 2009.

Ryan Davis’ form has also been very impressive this year with Exeter, the Premiership’s newcomers. He too brings international experience with him as the 25-year old is a former England U16s and U18s international who captained his country at U21s level in the 2005 Six Nations. He spent six seasons at Bath before moving to Exeter.

The new signings come as London Wasps confirm the departure of Dave Walder, who has opted to play overseas next season.

Wasps Chief Executive Chris Thomas said: “We are really pleased to be able to bring in two experienced Premiership players in such a key position. With Dave Walder leaving, it was vital that we brought in talented replacements and we think these two players will fit in very well at Wasps as we look to strengthen our squad for next season.â€

The new signings come as London Wasps confirm the departure of Dave Walder, who has opted to play overseas next season.

On Walder’s departure Thomas said: “Having been with us since 2006, I know I speak for everyone when I say that Dave has left a real mark on the club. He has decided to prolong his career by playing abroad, something he has always wanted to do, and we fully support that decision. Everyone at the club appreciates what a key role Dave has played for us in recent years, on and off the field, and while we are sorry to see him go, we wish him the very best overseas. The important issue for us is that we are all completely focused on the remainder of this season and send Dave off on a positive note.â€

Dave Walder said: “I have really enjoyed the five seasons spent with London Wasps and would like to thank the squad, backroom staff and especially the fans for their support over that time. Wasps is a unique club made up of a great group of people and I have formed strong friendships that I will certainly take with me. I am now eager for a new challenge both on and off the field and negotiations surrounding my next move are extremely positive and I am really excited about the future. However my focus for now remains fully on the club and the run in to the end of the season.â€

http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps32186.ink​

 

[No Soft Centres]

Anyone heard of any other wasps rumors? things ive heard
- Haskell To come Back
- Palmer to Come Back
- Luke Mcalister (seems like a long shot)
- lee mears (unlikely, but mate seems to think so)

Wouldn't mind some new front row,second row, back row and centres. Dissapointed with signing davis, never reallyed seemed that good for bath or exeter. Robinson looks good though

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Could see Palmer and/or Haskell coming back, now that England are talking up the not-playing-foreign-players thing, and with neither wanting to lose their place in the squad

 

[HenryChinaski]

I'm relieved now I know that Ryan Davis won't be our first choice 10.

But the Wasps staff need to realise that the biggest priority is in 1-5. Last season bringing Flutey back was alright, but that money should have gone to replacing our forward losses. As we've seen this season it doesn't matter if you have exciting backs if they never have the platform to operate. McCalister is amazing but he wouldn't solve our problems.

 

[cyRil]

I saw the headline and thought, 'surely not Ryan Davis?'
Clicks link.
Ah.
He is ****.

 

[dullonien]

Arg, I was really hoping that the Blues would have pushed the boat out to get Nicky Robinson back.

 

[veux]

They need a new front row, Vickery is out, Joe Ward is going to Bath and they have the worlds shittest tighthead. Good two signings at fly half though, means Flutey can concentrate on being a centre.

Over the next two seasons they need a complete squad revamp, Betsen, Worsley and Shaw have to be replaced, and they really need a new front row and another 15.

 

[cherry'n'white army]

HenryChinaski , I would think since Vix has retired that has opened up a decent amount to sign another front rower, and I doubt Robinson is on a big contract.
Dullonien, the blues are shipping players out left right and centre and are in a bit of financial trouble right now so I doubt they would of wanted to sign a player that is probably past his peak now sadly and won't be around for many more years.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Robinson is hardly past his best either, presume there is a little bitterness about him leaving the Shed!

Blues are not in that much financial difficulty, they are cutting the big wages to allow them to sign potential new players.

 

[cherry'n'white army]

haha, no their is no bitterness over here, I would of prefered him to stay but his Goal Kicking is not very reliable for a first choice 10 and is not as good a player as he was when at Cardiff a couple of seasons ago. I just think the club has done the right thing in not offering him a contract that could be better spent on another fly half. But please God let the rumours about Ryan Lamb not be true. Robinson going to Wasps may also have something to do with Shaun Edwards and Nicky mybe wanting to be closer to the Welsh management.

 

[MichaelBoard]

I think Nicky Robinson's chance to be part of the Welsh set up are fast fading, Hes 29 (I think) and has almost zero chance of breaking into the Six Nations squad or gaining selection for the Rugby World Cup squad with the likes of Stephen Jones, James Hook, the very promising Rhys Priestland and Jason Tovey (those 2 will be the future for Wales at 10 in my opinion) and even the terrible Dan Biggar ahead of him in the pecking order. By the time the World Cup is over he will be 30 going on 31 and too old to make an impact and hold down a place as by the time he proves himself (if he were given the chance and played well) he would be knocking on.