Aviva Premiership: Dai Young admits interest in Leinster fly-half Jimmy Gopperth
Last Updated: 23/12/14 6:13pm
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young says the club are in discussions with a “number” of players - including Leinster fly-half Jimmy Gopperth.
Gopperth may well replace Andy Goode as the Wasps’ frontline fly-half next season as they build on their move to the Ricoh Arena.
Coventry-born Goode kicked a new individual Premiership points record of 33 in Wasps’ debut at their new home in Sunday's 48-16 victory over London Irish, but the goal-kicker’s place in the team seems far from secure.
"Absolutely Jimmy Gopperth is in the mix," said Young. "There are a number of high-profile 10s that are available this year, and that's all part of the bigger picture.
“We're in discussions with Andy about moving things forward, the same as we are with a number of other players.
There are a number of high-profile 10s that are available this year, and that's all part of the bigger picture
Dai Young
"We're certainly not far off resolving things on the recruitment front right across the board really, so certainly by the end of January things will be a lot clearer."
Gopperth’s move away from Leinster has been all-but inevitable since British and Irish Lions fly-half Johnny Sexton completed a deal to return next term.
Young believes Goode still has the ability to produce the goods at Premiership level, but conceded the former Leicester and England fly-half’s age is not on his side.
"Andy certainly seems to think he can keep going, but at the end of the day he's 35 next year isn't he?" said Young. "Recruitment's not carried out by reacting to one good game or one poor game, though.
"You're looking at what you've got, whether it's right for them as well as us to retain them, and then also at alternatives.
"We're still in with a shout in Europe but it's hugely important we try to get into the top six in the league again this season to stay in the top European competition.
"We're probably looking at four or five players to come in, and maybe the same number moving in the other direction.
"But we ought to know a lot more by the end of January."
