Dallaglio praises new faces

Skipper believes Betsen and Robinson can help Wasps keep winning

Last updated: 23rd May 2008

Lawrence Dallaglio Wasps

Dallaglio: Praised signings

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Retiring Wasps skipper Lawrence Dallaglio has praised the signing of proven veterans Serge Betsen and Mark Robinson to bolster the club for the future.

The World Cup winner is currently preparing for the final match of his glorious 18-year career - the Guinness Premiership final against Leicester a week on Saturday.

But he believes France blindside Betsen and All Black scrum-half Robinson are excellent signings to continue Wasps winning run well into the future.

He said: "I don't wish I was playing next season - not when we sign players like this.

"At the moment I'm still part of a Wasps team who will continue to win long after I have gone. Signings like these give us a great opportunity to continue winning.

"At Wasps we don't sign a huge amount of players. Over the last 10 years there are not many who have come in and not many who have gone out.

Consider carefully

"We consider very carefully the ones who come in and we are delighted to have Mark and Serge."

Wasps coach Shaun Edwards is also delighted with signing the duo, who will arrive at Adams Park over the summer.

He said: "I'm very excited to be working with both of them. The thing that sticks out with both of them is their toughness.

"In Serge you have one of the premier defensive players in the whole world. And in Mark Robinson you have one of the most competitive and toughest half-backs in the world.

"They both have respect from every single player they play against."

Wasps have won three Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups since 2003 and Dallaglio believes the excellence fostered at the club is shaping the game elsewhere.

Stability

He said: "We've had a lot of stability at the club and consistency in terms of players and management.

"People who have spent time at Wasps are shaping the game elsewhere. Rob Andrew is the RFU's director of elite rugby.

"Shaun Edwards is coaching Wales, Ian McGeechan is coaching the Lions. John Mitchell is in charge of Western Force.

"Dean Ryan is director of rugby at Gloucester, Steve Bates at Newcastle. The list goes on and on.

"These guys have had an influence at the club and have taken their input elsewhere.

"There's nothing flash about the people involved at Wasps, they just have a great pedigree."