Stephen Jones to Wasps

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Stephen Jones is expected to complete a move to Wasps within days, despite the financial uncertainty at the Aviva Premiership club.

The former Wales and Lions fly-half, 34, is set to leave the Scarlets at the end of the season in a move that could be the last of his playing career. The deal could be done before the end of this week.

Jones is set to join his former Wales team-mate Dai Young, now head coach at the former European champions, where he will share the No10 jersey with Nicky Robinson.

It had been thought the move was in doubt after Wasps released a statement yesterday warning that they are in danger of going into administration following the collapse of takeover talks.


But now it appears Jones will join the Adams Park club, which has been afflicted by mass injuries and off-field uncertainty all season.

His departure from the Scarlets will come as all the Welsh regions embark on cost-cutting measures, and it would bring to an end a six-year second stint there following a two-year spell with Clermont Auvergne between 2004 and 2006.

Jones is an attractive acquisition for Wasps because his international commitments with Wales appear to be over.

Meanwhile, Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty has vowed to do all he can to help Wasps find new investors and stave off the growing threat of administration.

Wasps were close to completing a takeover deal last week but that arrangement has fallen through, leaving the club in a precarious financial position.

It is understood Wasps have enough funding to see them through the next month, which would allow them to complete the Premiership season, but the club need urgent investment to remain in business beyond May.

Wasps have returned with their begging bowl to three parties who had previously expressed an interest in the club while issuing an appeal for potential new investors to step forward.

If no investment is forthcoming, Wasps would find themselves in administration and facing a potential points deduction.

McCafferty said: “It would be unhelpful to speculate about that (administration) at this point.

“We understand that London Wasps are doing everything they can to avoid this situation and are actively seeking investment as a matter of urgency.

“It is well known that London Wasps were seeking new investment and despite moving to advanced stages of completing a sale the negotiations have stalled.

“London Wasps are looking for alternative approaches and we’re doing everything we can to help.”

Wasps have been looking for a new owner since last July, when Wycombe council withdraw its support for the construction of a new stadium.

In February, Wasps said they were at “advanced stages of discussions” with four interested parties but, having identified a preferred bidder, talks have fallen through.

A club statement said: “The board is disappointed to confirm that negotiations, which had been leading towards an imminent takeover of the club, have stalled.

“The board, having taken independent advice, is able to confirm that London Wasps Holdings Limited remains nevertheless a going concern.

“However, the board acknowledges the urgency of the current situation surrounding the club.

“There are ongoing active discussions with other potential investors but the club is seeking, using all best endeavours, further expressions of interest.”

It is understood the collapse of the takeover bid was due to funding issues with the potential investor.

It emerged last week that Wasps’ current owner Steve Hayes had been arrested and bailed as part of Scotland Yard’s computer-hacking investigation.

Wasps have been battling against relegation all season and, with three matches remaining, they have still not mathematically secured their Premiership status.

The club have fallen a long way since 2008, when Lawrence Dallaglio lifted their fifth English league title to go with the European crowns they won in 2004 and 2007.


Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/04/11/scarlets-stephen-jones-set-to-complete-move-to-wasps-within-days-91466-30737357/#ixzz1rjExZ4aH


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I think Wasps is a bad move for SJ - He is still playing well and could easily be 1st choice at a better club, rather than competing with Robinson at Wasps.

Still feeling down dreamer?

yes.

diolch.

I've always been pretty underwhelmed by Davis at FH, but thought he looked half decent at 12, as good as I've ever seen him play at 10

It's the only time I've seen him play and been impressed. He made his tackles, provided a good passing option from 12 and made a couple of nice breaks.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

I've always been pretty underwhelmed by Davis at FH, but thought he looked half decent at 12, as good as I've ever seen him play at 10

It's the only time I've seen him play and been impressed. He made his tackles, provided a good passing option from 12 and made a couple of nice breaks.

Sam, I think he's a confidence player - when Steenson got injured at Exe last season and Davis had a good run of games, he improved markedly

Just out of interest, if Wasps do struggle so much that they can no longer afford these luxury players like Jones and Haskell, what will happen to them? Will they simply go back on the market for other teams to make offers?
Even worse, what happens if Wasps get relegated, but have these big names on their books?

vedder, I suspect that it depends on what clauses these players have written into their contracts tbh

I imagine it's a bit like Hendre Fourie and Steve Thompson's clauses in their Leeds contracts yeh? In that, if the team gets relegated, they are free to move...?

Exactly

Thanks AsBO, much appreciated. Always thought Robinson was actually quite underrated as a fly half, and performs well for Wasps. Bit of an odd signing for Waps I think, especially because he's probably demanding quite a high salary.

Sam, I think he's a confidence player - when Steenson got injured at Exe last season and Davis had a good run of games, he improved markedly

12 could be good for him if he struggles to maintain confidence at 10 where the pressure is on, especially as a sub or fill in. At least that way Flutey's position is filled without Wasps needing to spend cash.

Bit of an odd signing for Waps I think, especially because he's probably demanding quite a high salary.

I doubt he'll be on big money as Wasps frankly can't afford it.

That's the thing Sam. He's internationally recognised, with a huge number of caps and Lions appearances- surely he'll inherently come with a large salary requirement? There must have been some French interest, from teams who could afford him.

Am gutted about this, I really hoped S Jones would retire with us in a few seasons when Jordan Williams was ready to fight it out with Priestland - also seems a really strange move for Wellies, but all the best though

I suspect if he's going to Wasps all of the French teams could afford him. For a club that is rumoured to be losing £2m a season they just won't have the financial muscle to offer a big contract. I wonder if he's been offered a player/coach role where Wasps will help him get his required badges etc with a view to working with the productive Wasps academy or first team backs once he retires.

If that's the case, Sam, that's a great deal for Wasps and Jones - very productive academy, with their backs learning of one of the best - fair play

The BBC Sport article says that there's a view to give him coaching duties at some point - which is another reason for me to be gutted as I'd always thought he'd get into the Scarlets coaching set up in a season or 2

I can see him in a coaching role to be honest, but like Smirnoff, thought he would have stayed at Scarlets to do so.

Well if you think about it, he's experienced French rugby, he's a master in Welsh rugby and now he;s going to learn a hell of a lot more in England. If he does coaching there for a couple of years, gets his badges, and then comes back to the Scarlets with all that extra experience...sounds a good long term plan to me.

I hope you're right rugbydreamer. I think he owes a lot to the club, and could be a fantastic coach

Not sure if he owes us a lot or we owe him! He has been one of the most amazing players to ever play in the Scarlet shirt and the Llanelli shirt before that. He's already come back to us once before after his stint in France so here's hoping.

It would make sense though, in 2 years, his little boy will be about 3 years old, so there wouldn't be any disruption with his schooling or anything. Could be perfect timing. At least that's what I hope Stevo is planning anyways

rugbydreamer wrote:Not sure if he owes us a lot or we owe him!

Haha true! I didn't really think as I wrote that!

Will scarlets replace Jones or is there someone coming through?

We've got Priestland. I am assuming we will re-sign Aled Thomas too.

We have Dan Newton who can play ten, and Owen and Jordan Williams coming through who both played U20's this year. Jordan is the wonder kid, but he's playing most of his rugby at 15 so far.

Goes to show even more how much it would have benefited us if Shingler had stayed, he'd have had so much regular game time at 10 if he hadn't left!

rugbydreamer wrote:Not sure if he owes us a lot or we owe him! He has been one of the most amazing players to ever play in the Scarlet shirt and the Llanelli shirt before that.

OVer 300 appearances for club and region (over 2800 points), 104 caps for Wales (over 900 points), and 6 Lions test caps (over 50 points) I think it is fair to say that we owe him for his loyalty to us. He has probably been one of the best servants to Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets (right up there with Grav, Bennett, and Jenkins IMO).

I would like to think that he would come back in some capacity when he is done with his time in Wasps, but I have a feeling that S4C/BBC are more likely to get his services.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Not sure if he owes us a lot or we owe him! He has been one of the most amazing players to ever play in the Scarlet shirt and the Llanelli shirt before that.

OVer 300 appearances for club and region (over 2800 points), 104 caps for Wales (over 900 points), and 6 Lions test caps (over 50 points) I think it is fair to say that we owe him for his loyalty to us. He has probably been one of the best servants to Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets (right up there with Grav, Bennett, and Jenkins IMO).

I would like to think that he would come back in some capacity when he is done with his time in Wasps, but I have a feeling that S4C/BBC are more likely to get his services.

+1

Spot on that.

Well there's a ridiculous article on the Beeb about how he "spurned" a coaching opportunity with the Scarlets, but hey the guy still wants to play rugby, can't fault him for that.

I hope he comes back to us one day, but with the amount he's already given, I couldn't really complain if he doesn't.

A model professional who made the best of his ability.This will free some room up in the scarlets wage bill hopefully they can use it to add strength in the front 5 were they need it.

O yes a good tight head would be very much appreciated. Welsh if possible.

mckay1402 wrote:O yes a good tight head would be very much appreciated. Welsh if possible.

You mean Jon Welsh? Not sure we can get him but hopefully...

Ha no I meant a welsh prop. Gill would be good or even if we could tempt Mitchell back from Exeter.

mckay1402 wrote:Ha no I meant a welsh prop. Gill would be good or even if we could tempt Mitchell back from Exeter.

Soz was just pulling ur tail! It would be good to get some of these good standard Welsh props back in Wales, but think Gill and Efion have signed new contracts (new team as well for Efion), and doubt we could tempt Mitchell back without a large wedge of money.

It's a shame though

mckay1402 wrote:O yes a good tight head would be very much appreciated. Welsh if possible.

Cai Griffiths! He was linked with us before. Oh sorry you said a good one.