Wasps get a Kiwi sting
Wasps have secured the services of New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth, who have signed for the English Premiership club from Irish province Leinster.
The flyhalf will join Wasps in time for the 2015/16 season.
Gopperth introduced himself to the Premiership in 2009 and was a central figure for Newcastle Falcons in the four seasons he was with them, winning back-to-back Premiership Golden Boot awards in 2010 and 2011.
Gopperth joined Leinster in 2013 and has excelled at European level during his two seasons with the three-times European Champions. He has played 16 games, with 13 starts.
Before moving to the Northern Hemisphere, Gopperth played Super Rugby for the Blues and Hurricanes in New Zealand.
He has also played for the Junior All Blacks.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said they are delighted to have the experienced No.10 on their books.
"Jimmy's consistency of performance at the highest level is really impressive," Young said.
"He is one of the most accurate kickers in Northern Hemisphere rugby and we also expect him to develop a dangerous attacking partnership in our back line over the next couple of seasons.
"I've been impressed by our 21 year-old Alex Lozowski, who is coming through well, and Ruaridh Jackson should be back fully fit next season after his ACL injury, so we will continue to have good strength in depth at flyhalf.
"Andy Goode's contract finishes at the end of this season, but we would love to keep him involved with Wasps and have offered him a coaching role at the club.
"Goodey's ability to analyse the game is first rate and when you see him around the club it's easy to appreciate how much he is respected by the players and the coaches. He has won everything there is to win in club rugby and offers so much off the field, as well as on field, to the younger players here.
"Andy has already shown his coaching potential alongside our A team coaches and we would like him to join the senior team. At the moment he is keeping his options open and considering a variety of offers elsewhere, which we fully understand.
"As anyone who has watched Wasps recently will know, Andy has played outstandingly well the past month or so and his performance against London Irish at the Ricoh Arena, breaking the Premiership points record, was top notch.
"However, when it comes to recruitment you are looking to build for the future and what the club will need in a year or two's time, and we believe the signing of Gopperth, alongside Jackson and Lozowski, will provide us with dangerous attacking and kicking options for the next few years to help move Wasps to the next level."
Leinster coach Matt O'Connor said Gopperth has been an integral part of the province for the last 18 months and will be missed.
"The experience he brought to the set-up from years playing with the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby and then with the Falcons, can not be underestimated and the younger players like Ian and to a greater extent Cathal, Steve and Ross learned a great deal from him," O'Connor said.
"We are disappointed to lose a player of his calibre and experience but we understand his reasoning. At this stage in his career, he wants to be playing consistently and regularly and the opportunity to go to a club like Wasps was too good an opportunity for him to turn down. We wish him and [Sarah] and the kids the very best of luck with the move but would re-iterate that there is still plenty of rugby to play between now and then.
"Jimmy and I have spoken and true to his nature and his professionalism you can be sure that we will get the same level of commitment and application that we have always received from Jimmy. He still has a huge role to play for Leinster Rugby this season."
Speaking about his decision, Gopperth said: " I have had a great time at Leinster and it has been a brilliant experience and I haven't taken the decision lightly. This season is very much still on the line and we are in contention for two trophies and I am looking forward to fighting on both fronts over the coming months.
"I'd like to thank Matt, Marco, Leo, Richie and all of the coaches during my time at Leinster for the opportunity to play in this environment and for this club with such a tradition and history. I've always been very proud to pull on that jersey and to represent the supporters and no day was I more proud than last May in the RDS in the Pro12 Final against Glasgow. A full RDS is hard to beat and it is a day and an atmosphere that I will never forget.
"This was a very tough decision but at this stage in my career I think it is the right decision and the opportunity to play for a club like Wasps was the right one to take. They have a good coach in Dai Young, great structures, a new stadium and play a similar brand of rugby to Leinster.
"But that is for then. Right now I am happy to have clarity around my situation going forward but it is now about Cardiff on Saturday and a huge few weeks for Leinster Rugby both domestically and in Europe. All of my and of our focus is doing as well as we possibly can in the coming months."
