Rugby World hotshot - Joe Simpson

February's issue of Rugby World magazine profiles Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson.

When the deal between the RFU and the Guinness Premiership clubs was signed, one of the key components was the agreement that players could have dual registration with another club to get match time. One player already benefiting from the arrangement is London Wasps' 19-year-old scrum-half Joe Simpson, who has been starring for Blackheath this season, gaining crucial experience in matches that mean something, while also juggling his studies at the LSE. And he capped a great few months by playing for England Sevens in the Emirates Airline Dubai event. With Sale's Ben Foden also in Dubai, Simpson's chances were limited but he is clearly being fast-tracked by the RFU with one eye on the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. Simpson is on course to be England's U20s scrum-half during the Six Nations and at the Junior World Cup in June in Wales, his swift pass and desire to run with the ball marking him out as a future star. "I work with Joe every Friday when he's back home so I know what a good prospect he is," says England Sevens coach Ben Ryan. "He's really benefiting from his time at Blackheath [in National Two] and when he goes back to Wasps he'll be a far better player for it." Foden, who roomed with Simpson in Dubai, adds: "Joe is a great prospect and has shown some great touches in the time I've worked with him when I've seen what a talented player he is. "When I first joined Sale I was loaned out to a local club so I could begin to understand what men's rugby is all about. As a scrum-half it's vitally important to get game time so being at Blackheath gives him that." VERDICT Simpson will soon be knocking on Brian Ashton's door.