Aviva Premiership: Jimmy Gopperth to move from Leinster to Wasps

Wasps have signed fly-half Jimmy Gopperth from Leinster in a deal that will run from next season.

The 31-year-old New Zealander has decided to move back to the Aviva Premiership after joining Leinster in 2013 following a four-year spell with Newcastle, during which he was twice the Premiership's leading points scorer.

Before moving to Europe, Gopperth had Super Rugby stints in New Zealand with the Blues and Hurricanes.

"We are delighted to have signed Jimmy Gopperth for next season," said Wasps rugby director Dai Young.

"Jimmy's consistency of performance at the highest level is really impressive.

"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."

Goode offer

Current Wasps fly-half Andy Goode, 34, will be out of contract at the end of this season, but Young added: "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 he 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."